— 82 — 



Myristica argentea Warb., Wild, Papua, Macassar, or fong nutmeg 

 This species, which is of low price, was formerly an article of com- 

 merce from the Malay Peninsula under the name of Pa/a Papua. In 

 the trade in England these nutmegs are known as Long, Wild, or 

 Macassar nutmegs. They are longish - ovate and cylindrical, their aroma 

 being less pleasant than that of the genuine nutmegs, but very persistent. 



Myristica fatua Houtt, False nutmeg. This variety should only 

 deserve attention on account of being confused with Papua nutmegs. 

 It has never been a commercial article and differs from the Papua 

 nutmegs in being practically odourless. 



Myristica ma/abarica Lam., Bombay nutmegs. They are occasionally 

 imported. They are longer than the Banda or the Papua nutmegs, 

 and are practically odourless. In the spice-trade they must be regarded 

 as an adulterant of genuine nutmegs. 



In connection with the above, we may refer to two new wild nutmegs 

 on which E. Heckel 1 ) reports. He received the fruits of Brochoneura 

 vouri Warb. {Myristica vouri Baill.) from the Province of Farafangana 

 in Madagascar. The natives crush the nuts and press them under the 

 application of heat, thus obtaining a grease which they use as a remedy 

 against scratches and as pomatum for the hair. 



The second fruit is derived from a new variety, which Heckel 

 calls Brochoneura dardaini. This has an extremely pleasant odour and 

 is used by the natives for similar purposes as B. vouri. 



Orris Oil. The usual report of our informants this season is 

 as follows: — 



"Since we reported last on Florentine orris root, an unexpectedly strong 

 demand has developed, which still continues, and under the influence of which 

 the price of old root has gradually advanced to 72 marks cif Hamburg for sorts 

 and 62 marks for pickings. Speculation has also contributed its share to this 

 rise, because in view of the greatly reduced stocks and the moderate crop- 

 prospects, the opinion prevails that it is more likely that the market will rise 

 than that it will recede. As already frequently mentioned, it is impossible to 

 form a careful estimate of the result of the harvest before November, because 

 the collection of the roots (which, during the later stages, it is true, are often 

 of poor quality), frequently continues until that month; but from what we 

 have ascertained at the various centres of production, it appears that the total 

 output which may be expected is at the very most 500 tons. 



The stock at the end of February 1909 was .... about 750 tons, 

 the shipments from end of February to end of August . . „ 490 ,, 



there thus remain in stock about 260 tons, 



add to this an estimated crop of „ 5°° »» 



estimate of supply available for the new season beginning 



I st September 1909 . about 760 tons. 



Of the 750 tons which were said to be in store at the end of Feb- 

 ruary 1909, only about 260 tons remain, of which about 120 tons are in the 



*) Repertoire 21 (1909), 49, through Pharmaceutical Journal 82 (1909), 463. 



