290 BICTlOISrARy OF POPULAR NAMES NUTMEG 



fruit is aromatic, tlie cotyledons are the Puclmrim Beans of 

 commerce. 



2. AcTodididium camara^ a tree, native of Guiana, produces 

 the nut known by the name of Ackawai Nutmegs. It is highly 

 valued as a cure for colic and dysentery. 



3. Aydendron Oujumary, a tree, native of Guiana, producing 

 an aromatic nut known by the name of Cujumary Beans, which 

 are esteemed as tonic and stimulating. 



4. Agatliopliyllum aromatimm, a tree, native of Madagascar. 

 The fruit is known by the name of Clove Nutmeg. 



5. Cryptocarya moschata, a large tree, native of Brazil. Its 

 fruit is aromatic, called Brazilian Nutmeg- Although the nuts 

 of these trees are called Nutmegs, they are, however, but a poor 

 substitute for the true Nutmeg. 



Nutmeg, Peruvian. {See Sassafras, Chilian.) 

 Nutmeg, Stinking {Torreya myrishcd), a small tree of the 

 Yew family (Taxacese), native of California, attaining a height 

 of 20 to 30 feet. It has received the name of Stinking Nutmeg 

 or Stinking Yew on account of the leaves and wood emitting a 

 disagreeable odour when bruised or burnt. It is also known by 

 the name of California Nutmeg on account of the kernel of its 

 fruit being about the size of, and rumniated like that of, the 

 true Nutmeg, but it possesses no aroma. 



Nux Vomica {Strychws Nnx - vomica), a small straggling 

 branched tree of the Strychnos family (Loganiaceoe), native of 

 India. It has sessile leaves, with several strongly-marked veins 

 running from the base to the apex. The flowers are small, and 

 the fruit resembles an orange, but has a hard rind, and contains 

 numerous round fiat seeds, like broad beans embedded in pulp, 

 and when dry covered with white silky haiis. They contain 

 two most deadly poisons, Strychnine and Brucine ; but the pulp 

 is harmless. The baik and roots are extremely bitter, and are 

 favourite remedies amongst the natives for snake-bites, and are 

 also used in fevers. The seeds or beans, as they are called, 

 chiefly come from the East Indies. Forty years ago the extent 

 of the annual importation was only about 600 lbs.; it now 



