CLXXXVI. MYRISTICE^. 651 





if. fatun. 



Myristica. Ifyristiica. Jfyristica. Transverse section of 



Ovule and arilla. Ovule cut vertically, _ Embryo, androecium (mag.). 



wholly or partially enveloped in a fleshy, laciniate, often aromatic aril, springing 

 from the base of a short and thick funicle ; testa hard ; albumen scented, copious, 

 sebaceous, deeply ruminate transversely from irregular processes of the inner mem- 

 brane of the seed. EMBRYO minute, basilar, straight ; cotyledons sub-foliaceous, 

 divaricate, plane or rugose and folded ; radicle short, cylindric, inferior. 



GENUS. 



Myristica. 



Myristicecf, long placed among Monochlamyde<e near Laurine& } on account of their 3-partite incon- 

 spicuous diclinous and apetalous flowers, 1-celled 1-ovuled ovary, berried fruit, woody stem, coriaceous 

 leaves, and aromatic properties, ought rather tq be placed near Anonacece or Monimiece, which resemble 

 them in the 3-partite valvate perianth, extrorse anthers, solitary erect anatropous ovule, copious ruminate 

 albumen, minute basilar embryo with [divaricate cotyledons and] inferior radicle, woody aromatic stem, 

 and alternate nearly sub-distichous leaves folded lengthwise when young ; but in Anonacece the flowers 

 are usually hermaphrodite and petaled, the stamens are indefinite, multiseriate, and free, the carpels are 

 more or less numerous, aud the seed has no aril. Myristicece also approach Magnoliacetz in the extrorse 

 hypogynous anthers, the berried 2-partite fruit, copious albumen, basilar embryo, woody stem, and alter- 

 nate leaves ; they differ, in the valvate aestivation of the calyx, the absence of corolla, the uionadelphism, 

 solitary carpel, solitary erect ovule, and the arillate not ruminate seed. We prefer to keep the name 

 aril for the organ which envelops the Nutmeg, because, after an examination of two ovules, we have 

 concluded that this organ springs rather from the base of the ovule than from the exostome, as is admitted 

 by A. De Candolle and Planchon. 



This little family is tropical ; it inhabits the tropical eastern peninsula and islands of Asia, 

 especially the Moluccas, but also America, Madagascar, and the Pacific Islands. 



All parts of Myristicece are aromatic; their styptic juice contains a very tenacious acrid colouring 

 matter, which reddens on contact with the air. The seed and its aril possess hydrocarbons, of which the 

 aroma is more or less strong according to the species. The most remarkable is the Nutmeg-tree 

 (Myristioafragrans), a fine tree of the Moluccas, especially cultivated in the Banda Islands, and introduced 

 in 1770 into the Mauritius and Bourbon, whence it passed into America. Its seeds (Nutmeg), and its 

 aril (Mace), are used as spices and as stimulating medicines. Nutmegs yield an essence by distil- 

 lation, and a fixed solid oil by expression under heat, mixed with a volatile oil j this mixed oil is named 

 Nutmeg-butter, on account of its consistence and yellow colour. The volatile oil, separated by distilla- 

 tion, is used in perfumery, but the aroma of the Nutmeg is narcotic, and it has been frequently stated that 

 the exhalations from heaps of Nutmegs have proved injurious to persons sleeping near them. Nut- 

 megs, if eaten in considerable quantities, are really poisonous ; they excite thirst, cause oppression, 

 dyspepsia, intoxication, delirium, and even fatal apoplexy. 



Many other species of Myristica produce aromatic seeds, but less valuable than those of M. fragrant, 

 Those of M. spuria, a native of the Philippines, are covered with a Mace which is at first yellow, and 

 afterwards of a bright red ; they lose their aroma at the end of a year. The red juice obtained by incision 

 of the trunk is substituted in commerce for Dragon's-blood. The seed of M. tomentosa is considered an 

 aphrodisiac by the inhabitants of Amboyna. 



