302 MYRISTICACEjE. [Diclinous Exogens. 



Natives exclusively of the tropics of India and America, and most common in the 

 former. 



Their bark abounds in an acrid juice, which is viscid and stains red ; the rind of the 

 fruit is caustic. The aril and albumen of Myristica moschata, the former known under 

 the name of Mace, and the latter of Nutmeg, are important aromatics. An aromatic 

 fruit is also borne by other species. The coarse, strong-smelling Nutmegs of Santa 

 Fe are from the Myristica Otoba. Another species is the M. tomentosa, and a third 

 the M. officinalis, which is reckoned in Brazil an energetic tonic. In the Indian Archi- 

 pelago Myristica spuria is employed as a substitute, aud also a species in the Philippines 

 called Dooghan, Dungan, or Gonogono ; in Madagascar, M. acuminata and madagasca- 

 riensis, and in Brazil M. Bicuiba (Bicuiba or Vicuiba) or officinalis. The seeds also 

 abound in oil. Virola sebifera yields a fatty oil upon simple immersion in hot water ; 

 the common Nutmeg furnishes a similar secretion, and also a fluid oil. From the white 

 Mace of M. Otoba is prepared an ointment used against the itch in Colombia. The red 

 Mace of Pyrrhosa tingens, an Amboyna plant, when rubbed between the fingers is muci- 

 laginous, and stains them fiery red ; by the addition of lime it yields a red pigment, with 

 which the natives stain their teeth. — Blwme. The aromatic quality, although so common 

 in this Order, sometimes deserts their fruit. In Myristica fatua the fragrance is very 

 slight and soon disappears, and in others it is scarcely perceptible. It must, however, 

 not be supposed that the insipid Nutmegs are inert. Mr. Hinds states that in New 

 Guinea, where the latter are common, persons who ate as many as two were soon after 

 surprised by a violent evacuation of the bowels, and disturbance of the stomach. A single 

 one produced nausea, sensation of fullness, and flatus. — Lond. Journ. Bot. 1. 675. 

 This corresponds with the qualities of the common Nutmeg, which can only be used 

 safely in very small quantities ; in excess it produces oppression of the chest, intense 

 thirst, headache, and even delirium and fatal apoplexy. — Endl. The Dungan of the 

 Philippines, already mentioned, yields a crimson juice which is collected from incisions 

 in the trunk, and used as a substitute for Dragon's Blood. — Endl. See Blume's Bum- 

 phia, 1. p. 179. 



GENERA. 



Myristica, Linn. 

 Virola, Aubl. 



Sebophora, Neck. 

 Knem.a, Lour. 

 Pyrrhosa, Blum. 



Horsfieldia, Willd. 

 Hyalostemma, Wall. 



Numbers. Gen. 5. Sp. 35 ? 



Aiumaeea. 

 Position. — Schizandraceae. — Myristicace^e. — Menispermaceie. 



Euphorbiacece. 



