130 



THE SEED 



The Raphe. — The raphe, extending from the hilum to the chalaza 

 when these do not coincide, is ordinarily not readily perceptible upon 

 the surface. When it is so, as in Figs. 372 and 373, its appearance is of 

 great diagnostic value and must be closely scrutinized. The chalaza 

 in its simple form calls for no special attention. 



The Strbphiole. — If, however, an enlargement appears at this point 

 (the Strophiole, Fig. 374, a), it must not be overlooked. The strophiole 

 may develop into the arillus (Fig. 375), a partial or complete covering, 

 and its characters call for the same attention which is requisite for the 

 testa. 



J/^. ■sr!'. Jr<9. 



S7S). 



380. <3SJ 



Jig. 



Fig. 369. Vertical section, seed of Cardamomum. 370. Cordate hilum, of Cardiospermum. 371. 

 Linear hilum of Calabar bean. 372. Central hilum of nux vomica. 373. Seed of Niederlinia with 

 conspicuous raphe and funiculus. 374. Seed of Hypericum with large strophiole at a. 375. Seed of 

 Hanetic with partial arillus. 376. Pitted seed of Sanvegesia. 377. Reticulate seed of henbane. 378 . 

 Reticulate-pitted seed of tobacco. 379. Finely reticulated seed of Datura. 380. Seed of Ricinus, 

 with caruncle at a. 381. Arilled seed of Myristica. 382. Seed of Acorus, with peculiarly appendaged 

 micropyle. 



The Testa. — The testa is not wanting in any medicinal seed. In 

 general it is not closely adherent to the underlying tissue, and it can 

 be readily removed. In its thickness, consistency, surface, color and 

 appendages it yields important pharmacognostical characters. It may 

 be pitted (Fig. 376), reticulate (Fig. 377), reticulate-pitted (Fig. 378) 

 or hairy (Fig. 372), and the minute characters of its pits, tubercles, 

 ridges, or hairs must not be overlooked. It may be dull or shiny, and 

 its color may be uniform or variegated (Fig. 379). Its luster or shade 

 of color is frequently of the greatest assistance in determining the age, 

 freshness, mode of preparing or preserving, or other conditions on which 

 the comparative medicinal quality of the seed depends. 



