115 



462. SASSAFRAS OFFICINALE, Nees. 



a. Section of trunk, polished. 



b. Shavings of the wood. 



c. Bark. 



d. Root. 



e. Root bark. 

 /. Pith. 



g. Essential oil. 



Note. In this country the root is official ; but in America, the root 

 bark and the pith are official ; the bark is much more fragrant than the 

 woody portion. The pith is used in the proportion of two drachms to a 

 pint of water to form a demulcent drink for catarrh and other affections 

 of the mucous membrane, and also as a local application in ophthalmia. 

 The pith is obtained from the young branches. See Amer. Ditpenx., 

 p. 475. For examination of root, see P. J. [1], vol. v., p. 426. For micr. 

 structure, P. J. [3] , vol. iii., p. 181. For fig. of plant, see BeittUy and 

 Trinien, Med. Plantf, tab. 220. 



ATHEROSPERMACE^E. 



463. ATHEBOSPEBMA MOSCUATA, Forst. (Australian Sassafras.) 



a. Bark. 



b. Essential oil from the leaves. 



Note. The bark is used in Australia as a substitute for tea. It 

 possesses diaphoretic and diuretic properties. See P. J. [1], vol. xv., 

 p. 115. Bentley, Man. Bot., p. 613. 



MYRISTICACE^E. 

 4G4. MYRISTICA OFFICINALIS, L.f.; M. FRAORANS, Houtt. 



a. Fruit and leaves, preserved wet. Two specimens. 



b. Seeds with arillus. 



c. Arillus of seed. (Mace.) 



d. Nucleus of seed. (Penang Nutmegs.) Two specimens. 



e. Ditto, limed. (Dutch or Batavian Mitmegs.) 

 /. Ditto. (British Possessions Limed Nutmegs.) 

 g. Expressed oil from nutmegs. (Oil of Mace.) 

 h. Volatile oil from nutmegs. (Oil of Nutmegs.) 



Note. The fruit consists of a succulent dehiscent ovary containing 

 one seed, the seed being surrounded by an arillus, which is a growth 

 from the hilum. Nutmeg is the kernel of the seed with the endopleura 

 folded into it, giving the albumen a marbled appearance known as 

 ruminated. Limed nutmegs are preferred in some countries. The lime 

 is said to preserve the seeds from insects, but it injures the flavour. The 

 Chinese prefer to import their nutmegs in the testa or shell, in which they 

 keep good for a great length of time ; the shells occupy one-third of their 

 weight. Oil of mace is made from those nutmegs which are too small for 

 exportation. See P. J. [1], vol. xi., pp. 516-620; see also Per. Slat. 

 Med., vol. ii., pt. i., p. 470 ; Pharmacographia, p. 451. For volatile oil, 

 see P. J. [3], vol. iv., p. 311 ; [1], voL x., p. 850. For myristicin, 

 P. J. [3], vol. v., p. 136. See Bentl. db Trim., Med. Planti, tab. 218. 



