136 SEEDS. 



The kernel of the seed of Myristica fragi ans, Houtt. (N.O. 

 Myristicaceae). 



It consists of a ruminate endosperm covered by a thin 

 brownish perisperm, which also penetrates the endosperm and 

 produces the ruminations. 



The outer layer of the perisperm (primary perisperm, te) is 

 made up of a loose tissue consisting of irregular, colourless cells, 

 often containing crystals of myristic acid. The tissue of the 

 inner layer of the perisperm (secondary perisperm, ti) is denser, 

 the cells are more regular and dark brown in colour. It is 

 traversed by fibro-vascular bundles, and contains an occasional 

 oil-cell. That part of the perisperm that penetrates into the 

 endosperm retains its character at the margins of the rumina- 

 tions, but the remainder consists of loose parenchymatous 

 tissue, containing numerous oil-cells, which are sometimes 

 isolated, but more often aggregated into groups. 



The endosoperm consists of polygonal isodiametric cells con- 

 taining starch embedded in a fatty mass. The starch grains 

 are simple or compound ; the former are rounded ; the latter 

 are composed of from five to eight component grains, which are 

 more or less angular when isolated. Many of the cells of the 

 endosperm contain in addition a large rhombohedral crystalloid 

 (cr), acicular crystals of fatty matter and small aleurone grains. 

 Here and there cells may be found in which the grains of 

 starch are imbedded in dark brown oleo-resinous mass. 



The diagnostic characters of powdered nutmeg are : 



(a) The dark brown cells of the inner layers of the 

 perisperm. 



(b) The small starch grains. 



(c) The presence of oil-cells. 



