No 160° and 170° C,/ B Jahns (1889) examined a samp 
gO 
34 MELASTOMACEZ:. 
promotes digestion like myrtle berries, but in large doses it 
acts as an irritant. It is excreted by the kidneys and through» 
the respiratory tracts, and communicates a peculiar odour to the | 
urine. According to Lauder Brunton the urine of perso 
taking it gives a precipitate with nitric acid ; he considers tha 
like copaiba it may be used asan expectorant inchronic bronchi 
with profuse expectoration and in chronic inflammation of the 
bladder or urethra. It is best administered in gelatine capsules: 
containing 4 to 5 drops of the oil. The fragrant water distilled 
from the flowers and leaves is known in France as Hau d’ ange. 
According to Brannt, the manufacturers of volatile oils in 
Southern France place a myrtle water upon the market wh: 
is actually prepared from the oil. 
Chemical composition. —Riegel (1849) obtained from the rip 
berries a volatile oil, resin, tannin, citric acid, malic acid, sugar, 
etc. Raybaud (1834) found the volatile oil, as distilled town : 
leaves, flowers, and fruit, to have ayellowish or greenish-yello 
colour, and to be lighter than water. Gladstone (1863) : 
tained it to have aspecific gravity of +891, to be de 
to consist mostly of a hydrocarbon, C!°H'S, boiling be 
Spanish origin, having a sp. gr. of °910 at 16°, and a rotat 
power of [a] =+26°7°. On fractional distillation the terpene, 
C! °H'®, came overat 158°— 160°; rotatory power [a]p= +386°8' 
and corresponded in its chemical properties with dextropin 
Cineol, boiling at 170°, a second constituent, was obtained bh 
Wallach’s process. A little camphor was also present but coul 
not be isolated: (Journ. Chem. Soc., J une, 1889.) The bit 
principle has not been investigated; it is probably a glucosid 
Oommerce.—Dried myrtle berries are obtainable in most ¢ 
the Indian bazars. 
MELASTOMACEA. 
MEMECYLON EDULE, Roos, 
Fig.—Rowb. Cor. Pl. I., t. 82; Wight Ic, t, 278. . 
wood tree (Hng.), Mémecylon comestible 
