MYRISTICA 



177 



inner seed-coat in narrow brown strips; these strips contain oily 

 material; hilum and micropyle on the broad end, chalaza near the 

 upper end, united by a groove corresponding to the raphe; the embryo 

 is small, in a cavity at the base; odor strongly aromatic; taste warm 

 and aromatic. 



The male, wild, or long nutmeg, as it is variously termed, is occa- 

 sionally found in market; it is much longer than the official nutmeg, 



FIG. 81. Myristica fragrans Branch and fruit. 



elliptical, destitute of the dark brown inner veins, and of a bitter and 

 disagreeable taste. Penang and Singapore nutmegs are unlimed. 



California nutmeg, so called, is the seed of Torrega Californica 

 (nat. ord. Coniferae); testa smooth, brownish, internally marbled, 

 resembling nutmeg, but has a terebinthinate odor and taste. 

 Powder. Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. The greater portion of nutmeg (25 to 30 per cent.) con- 

 sists of a fixed oil ; this is official in the British Pharmacopoeia and 

 12 



