424 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



143. (Fig. 141.) MYRISTICA. Nutmeg. U. S. 

 Coarse powder as a spice. 



Muskatnuss, G. Muscade, Noix de muscade, Fr. 



The seeds (arillus removed) of Myristica fragrans Houtt., Myristi- 

 caceae. 



Rather dull reddish brown; fatty, oily. 



Very aromatic; nutmeg odor. 



Pungent, bitterish and somewhat astringent. 



Endosperm cells quite large, thin- walled, of two kinds causing the 

 marbled appearance of the interior of the seed. The colorless endo- 

 sperm cells filled with compound starch, large proteid granules with 

 distinct crystalloids, and fat; the fat causing the granules and proteid 

 bodies to be indistinct. The reddish brown endosperm cells have very 

 irregular walls and are empty or contain resin and volatile oil. The 

 starch granules occur in twos, threes, fours, fives and even higher 

 aggregates. The outer tissue consists of small, brown, tangentially 

 flattened cells filled with reddish brown coloring matter. 



Ash 3 per cent. 



Adulterated (only rarely) with wild or false nutmeg (Myristica 

 fatua). Poor quality of "grinding nutmegs" may be used. 



