442 



BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



MACIS. MACE. The arillode of the seed of Myristica 

 fragrans (Fam. Myristicaceas). (See Nutmeg.) According to 

 Warburg the arillode arises in the region of the hilum before the 

 flower opens and fertilization is effected (p. 2"^"/). 



Description. In coarsely reticulate bands about i mm. thick, 

 the whole having the outline of the nutmeg, the basal portion 



<0 



Fig. 190. Mace: E, epidermal cells, which in transverse section are nearly isodia- 

 metric, but in longitudinal section are elongated, sometimes being i mm. in length; P, 

 parenchjTna cells with small starch grains which are colored reddish with iodine; Z, large 

 oil cells showing oil globules and protoplasmic contents lining the walls; T, trachea-; S, 

 small, irregular starch grains. 



united, but with a small, irregular opening; usually in compressed, 

 nearly entire pieces, reddish or orange-brown, somewhat translu- 

 cent, brittle when dry ; odor and taste aromatic. 



Inner Structure. See Fig. 190. 



Constituents. An aromatic balsam 24.5 per cent. ; volatile 

 oil 4 to 7 per cent, and resembling that obtained from nutmegs 

 but containing a larger percentage of terpenes; fixed oil, and con- 



