



CINNAMON. 205 



There is said to be no particular season for bearing, but every day ex- 

 hibits new buds, blossoms and fruit in every stage of growth. The 

 tree is very beautiful and productive, and is now cultivated chiefly by 

 Europeans. The shell is of a glossy black ; and the mace, seen when 

 it bursts, is of a bright scarlet. Both tree and fruit are therefore among 

 the most beautiful in the vegetable kingdom. 



Nutmegs to the amount of 157,158 bushels, and 10,333 pounds of 

 mace, were imported into G. Britain in 1840, and into the U. S. to the 

 value of $122,603. They are packed in dry lime for exportation. 2 

 varieties are known, the royal and green. The former is the larger, 

 and produces longer mace. The good nuts are large, round and heavy, 

 of a light grey, and finely marbled. A pound of the kernels yields 3 

 ounces of fixed oil, which is a third of the weight of the nut. A trans- 

 parent volatile oil is also obtained by distillation, which is l-32d part 

 of the weight of the nut employed. The nuts are often punctured and 

 the oil boiled out before being offered for sale ; but the fraud may be 

 detected by the weight. One species yields fruit, the kernels of which 

 afford an oil like suet or fat, which is used in medicine. Being at- 

 tacked by an insect, the nut is smoke-dried for 2 or 3 months. When 

 imported in the shell, they are secure from this insect. A wild nut- 

 meg, oblong and l inches in length, is also imported in the shell. 



The composition of the nutmeg is volatile oil 2.70, reddish soft oil 

 10-41, white solid do. 17-72, gummy extract 25, ligneous fibre 34-38, 

 resin 3-42, &c. Starch is detected by iodine in both oils, and both 

 yield volatile oil by distillation. It is on this latter oil that the acti- 

 vity of the nutmeg and mace depend. Their effects, when swallowed 

 are like those of other spices. In large doses they are narcotic, pro- 

 ducing giddiness, delirium and stupor. By their stimulant properties 

 they serve to flavor food and drinks, and promote digestion ; but food 

 highly seasoned by them is injurious to the brain. They are frequently 

 employed as a cordial and anti-acid in bowel complaints, taken to the 

 extent of half a drachm in warm brandy and water. The oil of nut- 

 meg is considerably used in medicine, often externally for rheumatism 

 and palsy. The volrtile oil, in proof spirits, is cordial and carmina- 

 tive. The grated nut is commonly used for flatulent colic, to relieve 

 vomiting, &c; but with those of full habit it should be used cau- 

 tiously. 



MADAGASCAR NUTMEG, C. 11, O. 1, sp.9. Et. ft. 20. The leaf has a 

 pleasant smell like cloves. It forms a large tree in Madagascar, with 

 an aromatic bark, and heavy insipid wood. The dried fruit is very 

 aromatic. 



CINNAMON, C. 9. O. 1. Laurineee, sp. 18-68. Et. 20 ft. The 



Cinnamon of commerce is the under-bark of the tree L. cinnamomum, 



found chiefly in the E. Indies. The branches of trees 3 years old are 



cut down in April and November, the outside scraped off, and the bark 



18 



