70 



SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED PHARMACOGNOSY 



aceous shell enclosing a hard but thin endocarp which is externally 

 reddish-brown and somewhat fibrous, as is also the inner layer of the 

 sarcocarp; inner layer of endocarp smooth, enclosing an ellipsoidal 

 or ovoid, hard, somewhat flattened, anatropous, reddish-brown seed 

 which is marked on the raphe side by an arillus-like appendage and 

 on the opposite side near the end by the micropyle, which forms a 

 slight projection; internally, with a large endosperm of thick-walled 

 parenchyma and a very small embryo at the micropyle; odor pro- 

 nounced, aromatic and fruity; taste sweetish, aromatic and slightly 

 acrid. 



Inner Structure. See Fig. 23. 



FIG. 25. Areca Catechu (Betel-nut palm). A, upper portion of an inflores- 

 cence bearing staminate flowers; B, enlarged view of staminate flower; 

 C, 3 stamens; D, upper part of ovary with 3 styles; E, a branch bearing 4 

 pistillate flowers in the lower portion and 2 staminate flowers above; F, 

 a pistillate flower with bracts removed showing the calyx; G, an ovary 

 with rudimentary stamen; HI, longitudinal section through ovary; H2 

 the same giving a magnified view of the ovule; ,7, section through a berry 

 showing the fibrous sarcocarp and the seed covered by reticulated branches 

 of the raphe; K, section of seed showing the ruminating endosperm with 

 small embryo near the base. After Drude. 



Constituents. A "so-called" volatile oil consisting of a mixture 

 of ethyl esters of fatty acids. It is formed by the condensation of 

 the free fatty acids, which are naturally contained in the berries, 

 with ethyl alcohol, the preservative. The fresh berries contain 

 traces of a volatile oil, which is semi-solid, resembling that of the 



