KOLA 435 



red with solutions of the alkalies. It somewhat resembles a similar 

 principle found in arbor vitse (Thuja occidentalis). 



Cottonseed contains 0.6 per cent of a toxic principle called Gossy- 

 pol. It occurs in secretory cavities in all parts of the plant. It occurs 

 in the cold-pressed oil to the extent of 1.5 per cent, from which it may 

 be removed upon treatment with alkalies. (Carruth, Amer. Jour. 

 Pharm., 1918, 90, p. 649.) 



STERCULIACEJ3, OR COLA FAMILY 



A small family of about 150 species of tropical and sub-tropical 

 plants. They comprise a great many forms, some being lianes. 

 They resemble those of the Malvaceae very closely and are dis- 

 tinguished by their 2-locular anthers. The mucilage secretory 

 organs occur as mucilaginous membranes; lysigenous mucilaginous 

 cavities; and as schizogenous or lysigenous canals. In addition 

 tannin-secretion cells are usually present. The tracheae and wood 

 fibers are marked by simple pores. Calcium oxalate is secreted 

 in the form of solitary crystals and rosette aggregates, occasionally 

 as prismatic crystals. Non-glandular hairs, although usually stellate, 

 peltate or tufted, may occur in other specific forms. The glandular 

 hairs are either unicellular, or made up of a few cells, and somewhat 

 resemble those of the Malvaceae. 



COLA. Kola, Kola Nut. The kernel of the seed of Cola acu- 

 mmata (Fam. Sterculiaceae), a tree indigenous to Guinea, and now 

 extensively cultivated in the West Indies and South America. The 

 commercial supplies come principally from western Africa and the 

 West Indies. The seed obtained from the West Indies is known 

 commercially as Bichy or Bissy-bissy nut. The kernels are used in a 

 fresh condition or the cotyledons are separated and dried. 



Description. Anatropous, plano-convex, polygonal, three- to 

 six-sided, 18 to 35 mm. in length and 5 to 20 mm. in diameter; 

 externally yellowish or yellowish-red when fresh, but becoming 

 darker with age and on drying, with a shallow furrow indicating 

 the line of union of the two cotyledons, micropyle forming a dis- 

 tinct cleft at one end, otherwise nearly smooth; easily cut when 

 fresh, but hard when dry; without reserve layers, cotyledons unequal 

 and varying from two to five in number, the hypocotyl small; odor 

 distinct; taste astringent, somewhat sweet. 



Powder. Reddish-brown; starch grains numerous, from 0.005 

 to 0.045 mm. in diameter, spheroidal, ellipsoidal, shell-shaped or 

 irregularly oblong, occasionally with a protuberance on one side, 



