NUTMEGS AND MACE 97 



nature. It is a pendulous, fleshy drupe rather variable 

 in form, those of some trees being globular, while 

 other trees have oval or pear-shaped fruits. They are 

 smooth and of a pale orange-yellow colour, with a 

 groove running down one side. They are somewhat 

 variable in size, large ones being about 2|- in. in length. 



NUTMEG FLOWERS. 



When quite ripe, the fleshy husk opens by splitting 

 from the top, along the groove, into two halves, nearly 

 to the base. The husk or pericarp is of a somewhat 

 firm texture and ^ in. thick, rather acid in taste, with 

 an aromatic flavour of nutmeg. Within the husk is the 

 seed, the nutmeg of commerce, enclosed in a deep brown 

 shining seedcoat, the testa, and over this lies a splendid 



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