MACE 181 



West Indian nutmegs are somewhat elongated and frequently 

 have dark marks on them. 



All the above varieties may, however, be of small size, shrivelled, 

 or otherwise defective. 



Substitutes. Of the other species of Myristica yielding seeds 

 resembling nutmegs, only one, viz. M. argentea, Warburg, the Macassar 

 or Papua nutmeg, yields an aromatic seed (wild, Papua, Macassar 

 or long nutmeg ; exported from New Guinea) ; this is long, narrower 

 and less aromatic than the official, and has a uniform, brown, scurfy 

 surface and a distinctly acrid taste. 



Bombay nutmegs (M. malabarica, Lamarck) are also long and narrow, 

 but are destitute of aroma. 



Factitious nutmegs, made from exhausted or damaged nutmegs 

 mixed with mineral matter (clay) and pressed into moulds, have 

 several times been detected ; they yield from 11 to 18 per cent, of 

 ash, whereas genuine nutmegs do not afford over 4 per cent. ; they 

 also yield less volatile oil (1-76 per cent.), and the section is not regularly 

 reticulated. 



Uses. Nutmegs have stimulant and carminative properties ; in 

 large doses they are toxic, producing convulsions, an action due to 

 the myristicin contained in them. The expressed and volatile oils 

 have been used externally in chronic rheumatism. 



MACE 



Mace is the cfried arillus of the nutmeg. It has its origin in a 

 thickening of the funiculus extending to the outer integument of 

 the seed near the exostome ; it is therefore intermediate in nature 

 between an arillus and arillode. As it develops and surrounds the 

 seed it divides into branching lobes which approach one another 

 near the apex of the seed. It is carefully separated from the seed 

 and dried, and then forms flattened lobed pieces about 25 mm. or 

 rather, more in length, somewhat less in breadth, and about 1 mm. 

 thick. When soaked in water and restored ta its original form, it is 

 seen to be cup-shaped. It is of a dull reddish colour, translucent 

 and brittle. The strong and fragrant odour and aromatic taste 

 resemble those of nutmeg. 



Mace contains from 4 to 15 per cent, of volatile oil which appears 

 to be identical in all essential particulars with that obtained from 

 the nutmeg. 



Varieties. Bombay mace (M. malabarica), considerable quantities 

 of which are imported, is in longer, narrower pieces of dark red colour, 

 dividing into numerous narrow lobes which are twisted together at 

 the apex. It is devoid of aroma and valueless as a spice. The powder 



