6384 LEGUMINOS 2. 
all running towards the apex and throwing out branching 
filaments. The seeds, 4 to 12 in number, are each enclosed 
in a tough, membranous cell (endocarp), surrounded by the — 
pulp (sarcocarp). They are flattened, and of irregular outline, — 
being roundish ovate, or obtusely four-sided, about 6-10th — 
of an inch long by 8-10th thick, with the edge broadly keeled — 
or more often slightly furrowed. The testa is of a rich brown, 
marked on the flat sides of the seed by a large scar or areole,. — 
of rather duller polish than the surrounding portion, which — 
is somewhat radially striated. The seed is exalbuminous, — 
with thick hard cotyledons, a short straight included radicle 
and a plumule in which the pinnation of the leaves is easily _ 
perceptible. (Pharmacographia.) The Indian commercial — 
article forms a firm, black, sticky mass; with the pulp are 
mixed seeds, fibres and small fragments of the shell; it is — 
usually salted. For pharmaceutical purposes it should be free. a 
from salt. . 
Microscopic structure.—Tamarind pulp consists of thin-walled a 
cells ; amongst them may be seen crystals, which are probably ‘4 
acid tartrate of potash. 4 
Chemical composition.—According to Flickiger and Hanbury — 4 
water extracts from unsweetened Tamarinds, sugar together 
with acetic, tartaric, and citric acids, the acids being combined 4 
for the most part with potash. The neutralized solution 
reduces alkaline cupric tartrate after a while without heat, — 
and therefore probably contains grape sugar. On evaporation, — 
cream of tartar and sugar crystallize out. In East Indian — 
Tamarinds citric acid is present in but small quantity. No - 
peculiar principle to which the laxative action of Tamarinds — 
can be attributed is known. ‘The fruit pulp diffused in water 
- forms a thick tremulous somewhat glutinous and turbid liquid — 
owing to the presence of pectin. The testa of the seeds — 
abounds in tannin, and after long boiling can be separated, — 4 
: leaving the cotyledons soft. The latter have a bland mucila- _ 4 
-ginous taste. Brannt states that the seeds contain 20 per cent. _ 
: tie fluid oil with an odour of linseed, and classes it with . 
