240° | LINEZE. 
soctiaséd and “inflamed condition of the pharynx .and upper 
part of the respiratory passages. It is also useful in arritation. 
of the intestinal canal and urinary passages. The meal is one 
of our best: poultice materials. The oil with an equal part of 
lime water forms the well known application for burns and 
. sealds called Carron oil, and is also given internally as an_ 
aperient in piles, dose two ounces, morning and evenings 
Formerly the ‘oil boiled to the consistence of caoutchouc was 
used for the manufacture of bougies, catheters, and elastic - 
probes. - By interrupting the burning linseed oil by covering - 
the boiler, there remains a brown turpentine-like substance, 
she so-called birdlime. _ (Brannt ) 
Description. —The expenle, Which 3 is Fe, splits into " 
5 carpels, each containing two seeds separated by a partition. 
The seeds are of a flattened elongated ovoid form, with’ an 
acute edge, and a slightly oblique point blunt at one end. They 
have a brown glossy polished surface; which under a lens 
is seen to be marked with extremely fine pits. The hilum 
occupies a slight. hollow in the edge just below the apex. The 
testa encloses a thin layer of albumen surrounding a pair of 
large cotyledons having at their pointed extremity strait 
embryo. The seeds of different countries vary fronr }—} of 
an inch in length, those produced in warm regions being 
as the largest. In India a white variety is sometimes met with. 
When immersed in water, the seeds become surrounded by ~ 
a thin, slippery, colourless mucous envelope, which quickly — 
c recat as a neutral jelly, while the seed slightly swells and 
loses: its polish. (Pharmacographia, p. 90. i 
Chemical composition.—The following summary is cxtrached 
from the Pharmacographia : :—“The constituent of chief 
importance is the fixed oil which the seed contains to about. - 
4rd of its weight. The proportion obtained by pressure on 
-a large scale is 20—30 percent. The oil when pressed without 
heat and when fresh has but little colour, is without unpleasant ” 
taste and does not. solidify till cooled to —20° C.. The com- 
— oil is. dark as and has a sharp repulsive taste atid 
* 
