86 



FRUITS 



fruit ripens they bend outwards, and finally radiate from a central axis ; 

 the pericarp becomes dark brown and woody , and dehisces by the now 

 fully exposed ventral suture, disclosing a single, shining brown seed. 



The carpels measure about 1*5 cm. in length ; they are boat-shaped, 

 and usually bluntly beaked at the apex, but nearly flat at the base, 

 where they are attached to a short, central column proceeding from 

 a curved peduncle. They are reddish brown and woody ; externally 



irregularly wrinkled, intern- 

 ally paler, smoother, and 

 glossy. The seed is reddish 

 brown, smooth, shining, 

 hard, ovoid, and slightly 

 compressed. The hiluin is 

 conspicuous as an oval de- 

 pression at one extremity. 

 The hard, brittle seed-coats 

 enclose a large, soft, oily 

 kernel. Both the pericarp 

 and the kernel have an 

 agreeable aromatic odour 

 and a sweet spicy taste. 

 The student should par- 



Ofl II X"V ticularly observe 



*> II <S> ^^ (a) The size, regular 



appearance, and 

 blunt beaks of the 

 carpels, 



(b) The peduncle, which 



is curved near the 

 fruit, 



(c) The spicy odour and 



taste ; 



and should compare these fruits with the Japanese star anise (see 

 below). 



Constituents. The chief constituent of the fruit is the volatile oil 

 contained in the pericarp of the fruit (about 5 per cent.) and in the 

 kernel of the seed (about 2-5 per cent.). 



The oil is distilled in large quantities in crude native stills by the 

 peasants of Langson, in southern China, and brought to the ports of 

 Hai-fong and Hong Kong for exportation. It is scarcely distinguish- 

 able from that of Pimpinella Anisum, Linne, and may be substituted 

 for it. Its chief constituent is anethol, C 10 H 12 O (80 to 90 per cent.). 



Substitutes, &c. Japanese star anise, also called sikimi or shikimi 

 fruits (Illicium religiosum, Siebold). These fruits find their way to 



FIG. 48. Fruits of [Itticium verum and /. 

 religiosum. 1, entire fruit of /. verum ; 

 3, a single carpel ; 4, stalk (left) ; 6, seed ; 

 2, entire fruit of /. religiosum ; 4, stalk 

 (right) ; 5, single carpel ; 7, seed. (Vogl.) 



