MYRISTICA. o07 



soflium, we obtained a solution which, after removal of the alcohol, left 

 a residuum perfectly soluble in boiling water, forming a jelly on 

 cooling. By adding hydrochloric acid to the warm aqueous solution, 

 the original crystallizable substance again made its appearance, yet 

 almost devoid of odour. It is in fjict nothing else than Myristic Acid 

 (see page 508).^ 



Production and Commerce — The nutmegs and mace now brought 

 into the market are to a large extent the produce of the Banda 

 Islands,- of which however only three, namely Lontar or the Great 

 Banda, Pulo Ai, and Pulo Nera, have what are termed Nutmeg 

 Fiirks. According to official statements of the Dutch, the lirst- 

 named island possessed in 1864; about 266,000 fniit-bearing trees ; 

 Ternate on the western coast of Jilolo, 46,000 ; Menado in the island 

 of Celebes, 35,000 ; and Amboyna, only 31,000. The nutmegs of the 

 Banda Islands are shipped to Batavia. The quantity expoited from 

 Java in 1871 (all, we believe, from Batavia, and therefore the pro- 

 duce of the Banda Islands) is stated as 8107 peculs (1,080,933 lb.), 

 of which 2300 peculs (306,666 lb.) were shipped to the United States, 

 and a rather large quantity to Singapore.'* The last-named port also 

 shipped in the same year a very large quantity (310,576 lb.) of nut- 

 megs to North America,* and in 1877 the total export of nutmegs and 

 mace from Singapore was 5323 peculs (709,733 lb.). 



Nutmegs were exported from Padang in Sumatra in the year 1871, 

 to the extent of 2766 peculs (368,800 lb.), chiefly to America and 

 Singapore. The quantity annually imported into the United Kingdom 

 ranges from 500,000 to 800,000 lb. 



Uses — Nutmeg is a grateful aromatic stimulant, chiefly employed 

 for flav^ouring other medicines. It is also in constant use as a condi- 

 ment, though less appreciated than formerly. 



Oleum Myristicae expressum. 



OleuTii Macidis, Balsamwni vel Oleum Nucistce ; Exjrressed Oil of 

 Nutmegs, Nutmeg Butter, Oil of Mace; F. Beurre de Muscade; G. 

 Muska tbu tte r, Muskatnussol. 



This article reaches England chiefly from Singapore, in oblong, 

 rectangular blocks, about 10 inches long by 2| inches square, enveloped 

 in a wrapper of palm leaves. It is a solid unctuous substance of an 

 orange-brown coloui", varying in intensity of shade, and presenting a 

 mottled aspect. It has a very agreeable odour and a fatty aromatic 

 taste. 



In operating on 2 lb. of nutmegs, first powdered and heated in a 

 waterbath and pressed while still hot, we obtained 9 ounces of solid 

 oil, equivalent to 28 per cent. This oil, which in colour, odour and 

 consistence does not differ from that which is imported, melts at about 



^ Yearbook of Phay-macy, 1874,490. occupies no more than 17 "6 geographical 



- Some idea of the extremely small area square miles, 



of these famous islands may be gathered ^ Consular Beportu, Aug. 1873. 952-3. In 



from the fact that the Great Banda, the 1875, 8990 peculs were exported from Java, 



largest of them, is but about 7 miles long * Blue Books for the Colony of the Straits 



by 2 miles broad ; while the entire group Settlevienl^ for 1871, Singapore, 1872. 



