744 



BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



seeds (Brassica Sinapistrum) the stone cells contain a brown 

 pigment which is colored deep red on treatment with chloral 

 hydrate, particularly if the preparation is heated. 



78. FCENUM GR^CUM (FENUGREEK). The dried, 

 ripe seeds of Trigonella Fcenum-grcBcum (Fam. Leguminosse), an 

 herb which is cultivated in Southern Europe and in tropical and 

 sub-tropical Asia and Africa. The seeds are oblong, flattened, 

 about 3 mm. long and broad and 2 mm. thick; brownish-yellow, 

 with a diagonal groove, otherwise nearly smooth; they are hard, 

 and have a peculiar odor and bitter, mucilaginous taste. Fenu- 

 greek contains 22 per cent, of proteins ; 28 per cent, of mucilage 



Fig. 295. Black mustard. A, surface view of some of the characteristic cells seen 

 in the powder: p, elongated stone cells (beaker cells), beneath which is the pigment layer 

 (g); K, endosperm cells containing aleurone; c, cells of cotyledon containing aleurone and 

 oil. B, enlarged surface view of the stone cells, showing a shadow-like reticulum composed 

 of broad lines which appearance is due to the fact that some of the cells are higher than 

 others. After Moeller. 



(in the cells of the endosperm) ; 0.13 per cent, of trigonelline 

 (isomeric with pyridine-betaine) ; 0.05 per cent, of choline; and 

 an odorous hydrocarbon. 



Powder. Yellowish-brown ; an outer epidermal layer of 

 mucilage cells beneath which occur i to 3 layers of radially 

 elongated stone cells with a triangular lumen and thick, porous 

 walls. As seen in transverse section the stone cells are polygonal 

 in outline and have simple, narrow, and distinct pores ; beneath 

 the latter is a layer of broad, thick-walled cells with large, radiate, 

 simple pores ; the endosperm consists chiefly of mucilage cells 

 with wavy mucilaginous inner walls and a single layer of small 

 aleurone cells ; the embryo consists of yellowish cells containing 

 aleurone grains. 



