NUX VOMICA 349 



horny, translucent or opaque, yellowish or white albumen around a 

 large central cavity. The embryo is contained in this cavity, and 

 consists of a short radicle and two flat, heart-shaped, veined cotyle- 

 dons extending about one-fourth the distance across it. Inodorous; 

 taste extremely bitter. Powdered mix vomica is yellowish-gray and 

 has a faint, sweetish odor. Should contain 1.25 per cent, of strychnine. 



FIG. 198. Strychnos nux vomica Flowering branch and seeds. 



Considerable difficulty has been experienced in keeping nux 

 vomica and it is recommended that the container be kept in a second 

 container containing a layer of unslaked lime. 

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



CONSTITUENTS . The total alkaloids amount from 2 . 5 to 3 . 5 per cent . They 

 consist principally of strychnine, C2iH22N 2 O 2 , 1.25 per cent., and 



