198 NUTMEG. 



are, when fresh, fleshy, five to seven-angled and $-$ inch 

 in diameter, and the flowers 4-5 inches across. The 

 calyx consists of numerous linear, hairy, orange seg- 

 ments, and the petals are oblong-lanceolate, white ; the 

 stamens numerous, and the stigma has many rays. 



The small dried flowers of Opuntia decumana, Haw., 

 which are of little or no use and are only about i^ inch 

 in diameter, and other species of Opuntia, are sometimes 

 sold as Certus grandiflorus. A figure of the flower was 

 published in the Phann. Journ., Aug., 1897, P- l &5' 



NUTMEG. Myristlca fragrans, Houtt. 



N.O. Myristicacea. 



5yn. Myristica officinalis } Linn., Nux moschata. 

 Part used Seeds. 



Action Carminative, stomachic. Useful in flatulency, 

 nausea, and vomiting. Mostly employed as a flavouring 

 for medical or culinary purposes. 



Preparations Powdered nutmegs : Dose, 5-20 

 grains. Fluid extract : Dose, 10-30 drops. Spirit B. P.: 

 Dose, 5-20 drops. 



Distinctive character Nutmegs vary in size and in 

 shape, as well as in quality, and are sold according to 

 size. The average size runs 90-100 to the pound, 

 and are about i^ inch long and if inch in diameter. 

 They should be variegated with brown and white 

 internally, and cut with an oily surface. The out- 

 side shows under a powerful lens minute, oblong or 

 rounded, black specks. The fragrant odour is charac- 

 teristic. Long nutmegs about i inch long of the 

 genuine kind are occasionally met with, and these can 

 be distinguished from the Papua nutmegs (Myristica 

 argentea, Warb.), which are similar in size and shape, by 

 the absence of black specks externally, and the acrid 



