NUTMEG OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 289 



quantity and the finest kind. The importation from all sources 

 for the year 1880 amounted to 27,403,722 lbs. Its importance 

 consists in its furnishing the finest crimson dye, and it is the 

 source of the colour known as Carmine. 



Noyau, a name in France of a liqueur said to be prepared 

 from the kernels of Cerasus occidentalis, a tree of the Plum 

 family (Drupaceoe), native of Jamaica, where it is called Laurel. 

 It is more than probable that the kernels of the common cherry 

 are also used in the preparation of Noyau, and it is said that 

 a species of Convolvulus (0. dissectics) furnishes material from 

 which the liqueur is made. ISToyau is chiefly used for flavour- 

 ing confectionery. 



Nutmeg {Myristica fragrans), a small branching tree of 

 the family Myristicacete, attaining a height of 20 or 30 

 feet. It is extensively cultivated in the Molucca and other 

 islands of the Malayan Archipelago and in India. The fruit 

 is about the size of a walnut, consisting of a rather thick fleshy 

 skin, containing a single nut, which on the fruit opening is seen 

 to be enveloped in a red net-like covering (aril), which is the 

 Mace, the kernel being the Nutmeg of commerce. M. fatiia 

 is cultivated in Brazil. The fruit of this is longer than the true 

 Nutmeg, and is sold in this country under the name of Long 

 Nutmegs. M. otoba and other species, cultivated in the Philip- 

 pines and Madagascar, occasionally come to this country for 

 sale. An oil is extracted from the nuts called Oil of Mace ; 

 the bark stains red. In Malacca and Penansr the Nutmeg has 

 been extensively cultivated, but during the last few years the 

 trees have been attacked by a disease which has destroyed 

 whole plantations, for which no remedy has yet been found. 

 Myristica sebifera is a large tree 50 to 60 feet high, common in 

 the forests of Guiana, North Brazil, and Panama. By macera- 

 tion of the nuts in water, a solid oil is obtained, which is used 

 in candlemaking. 



The fruits of several species of the Laurel family are called 

 Nutmegs. 



1. Nedandra Pitchury, a tree, native of Guiana. The 



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