134 



BIOLOGY OF PLANTS. 



23. Juniper henries grow on a small shrub {juniperus commurtis) 

 in Scotland. They contain a peculiar volatile oil, which im- 

 parts its peculiar flavor to Dutch gin, in the manufacture of 

 which they are highly valued. 



24. Anise is the seed of a plant [pimpinella anisum) cultivated 

 in Spain and Malta. The seeds have a peculiar aromatic smell, 

 a pleasant sweetish taste, and are used in medicine, 



25. Mustard. There are two species of this plant found in this 

 country ; the sinapis nigra or black mustard, and the sinapis al- 

 ba or white mustard. The composition of both is similar. 

 They contain a peculiar principle, called sinapin (C^'^H^SQ^ and 

 2 equivalents of sulphur =268). The white mustard, according 

 to John, is composed as follows : of an acrid, volatile and a 

 yellow fixed oil, brown resin, gum, lignin, albumen, phospho- 

 ric acid and salts. Mustard acts as a powerful excitant. Its 

 uses are well known. White mustard has been a celebrated 

 remedy for dispepsy. 



26. Cocoa-nut. This is the fruit of a species of palm [cocos 

 nucifera). The kernel contains a quantity of fixed oil, which is 

 used m India for lamps. The fibres of the outer coat are 

 formed into excellent cordage. It contains within, a milky, 

 sweetish, saline fluid. 



27. Cucumber. The common cucumber {cucumis sativus) is 

 composed of the following substances. 



Water 97.13 



Substances similar to fungin 0-53 

 Soluble vegetable albumen 0.13 

 Resin 0.04 



Extractive vi^ith sugar 1.66 



Phosphate of lime and of pot- 

 ash, phosphoric acid, am- 

 moniacal salt,amalate, sul- 

 phate and muriate of pot- 

 ash, and phosphate of iron 0.5 

 lUO.OO 



28. Thorn-apple [datura stramonium) is too well known to 

 need description. It has narcotic properties, similar to bella- 

 donna. 



29. JVuimeg is the fruit of the myristica moschata, and is much 

 used as an article for seasoning food. It is a native of the Mol- 

 lucca Islands. The covering of the nut is called mace. It has 

 been analyzed by M. Bonastre, and consists, in 100 parts, of 



0.8 

 56. 

 5. 



TooT 



