CRUCIFER. 451 
is supposed to be the original species from which have been derived, by cul- 
tivation, all the varieties of Cabbages, Kohl-Rabi, Greens, Broccoli, and 
Cauliflowers. The Kohl-Rabi is produced by the stem enlarging above the 
ground into a fleshy knob, resembling a turnip. Broccoli and Cauliflowers 
are deformed inflorescences.—B. nigra and B. alba were formerly placed 
under the genus Sinapis, L.; but this genus is now commonly included 
in Brassica. The seeds of these two species are in common use in medicine 
and for culinary purposes, and the seedlings are also emploved as salads ; those 
of the former are dark-coloured, and are known as Black Mustard seeds; those 
of the latter have a yellowish colour, and are termed White Mustard seeds— 
both kinds are official. Flour of mustard, so extensively used as a condi- 
ment, is prepared from a mixture of commonly two parts of powdered Black 
and three of White Mustard seeds: the proportions, however, used by diffe- 
rent manufacturers vary. Both the Black and White Mustard seeds contain 
a large quantity of fixed oil, which is readily obtained by submitting them 
to pressure ; this expressed oil is called fixed oil of mustard. It is remark- 
able that we do not find ready formed in either Black or White Mustard 
seeds the pungent acrid principle or principles for which mustard is especially 
distinguished. But when Black Mustard seeds are distilled with water, they 
yield a very acrid and pungent volatile oil, on which their virtues essen- 
tially depend. The elements of this oil exist in the seed, in the forms of 
myronate of potash or sinigrin and myrosin. These substances, when mixed 
through the medium of water, cause the formation of the volatile oil of 
mustard, which is official in the British Pharmacopeeia. But the active pro- 
perties of White Mustard seeds are not due to the presence of a volatile oil, 
as no such oil can be obtained from them by distillation with water, or other- 
wise ; but they are owing to a fixed acrid oily principle, which is developed 
under the influence of water, by the action of myrosin, one of its constitu- 
ents, on a crystalline principle which it also contains, called sinalbin or 
sulpho-sinapisin. Flour of mustard is given internally as a stimulant, 
diuretic, and emetic ; and externally applied, it is irritant, rubefacient, &c. 
The volatile oil is a powerful vesicant. White Mustard seeds are also taken 
in an entire state as a stimulant in dyspepsia. The seeds of Sinapis juncea, 
a native of India, possess similar properties to those of Black and White 
Mustard seeds ; they are official in the Pharmacopeeia of India, under the 
name of Sinapis indica. 
Camelina sativa, Gold of Pleasure.-—The seeds are stated to be valuable 
as food for cattle. They contain a large quantity of oil. 
Cardamine pratensis, Cuckoo-flower.—The flowers were formerly much 
used for their stimulant and diaphoretic properties, and have long been a 
popular remedy for epilepsy in children. 
Cochlearia.—C. Armoracia (Armoracia rusticana).—The root is the 
common Horseradish, so much used as a condiment. Several fatal cases of 
poisoning have occurred from the substitution of Aconite or Monkshood 
root for that of Horseradish, which it is supposed to resemble. Fresh Horse- 
radish root is official in the British Pharmacopeia; it is used in medica 
practice—erternally, as an irritant, rubefacient, and vesicant, and internally 
as a stimulant, diuretic, and masticatory. Its virtues depend upon the for- 
mation of a small quantity of volatile oil, under the influence of water, from 
the supposed presence of the same principles as those contained in Black 
Mustard seeds. (See Brassica.)—C. officinalis, Scurvy-grass, was leng 
esteemed for its anti-scorbutic properties. 
Crambe maritima, Sea-kale-——The stem and leaf-stalks of this plant, by 
cultivation under diminished light, form a much esteemed vegetable. In 
the wild state the plant possesses a good deal of acridity, but this is almost 
entirely removed by cultivation as above. 
Tsatis tinctoria, Woad—This plant yields a dark-blue dye, which was 
formerly much used in this country and other parts of Europe, but it is 
GiGi 
