22        Materia  Medica  of  the  Mexican  Pharmacopoeia.  {Am  JJa0nu^arnj 
peculiar  odor  and  a  sweet  agreeable  taste;  the  acid  reaction  becomes 
stronger  by  age;  on  warming  it  becomes  clear,  forming  a  viscous 
scum  and  separates  the  substances  held  in  suspension;  the  specific 
gravity  varies  in  the  different  stages  between  1*102  and  0*9943.  Rio 
de  la  Loza  obtained  from  pulque  albuminoids,  gum  and  resin  12*57, 
sugar  8.23,  salts  soluble  in  water  1*68,  salts  soluble  in  acids  0*37,  in- 
soluble salts  0*15,  alcohol  36*80,  water  and  gaseous  products  940*20. 
The  ash  contains  chlorides,  carbonates,  sulphates,  phosphates  and 
silicates  of  sodium,  potassium,  calcium,  magnesium  and  aluminium. 
Boussingault  found  in  a  liter  of  pulque  58*96  gm.  alcohol,  2*10  gly- 
cerin, 1*40  succinic  acid,  0*61  carbonic  acid,  5*50  malic  (?)  acid,  traces 
of  butyric  and  acetic  acids,  0*50  gum,  0*05  ammonia,  0*85  potassa, 
2*50  lime,  magnesia  and  phosphoric  acid,  1*90  nitrogenous  matter,  and 
901*83  water  and  undetermined  substances.  The  composition  of 
pulque  varies  with  the  species  of  maguey  and  with  the  aguamiel  from 
which  it  is  prepared.  The  ferment  of  this  beverage  is  a  fungus,  which 
Dr.  Barragan  has  recognized  as  being  a  species  of  Cryptococcus.  A, 
Herrera  has  succeeded  in  preserving  this  liquor  by  adding  to  the  liter 
60  gm.  of  pure  alcohol.    It  is  tonic,  analeptic,  stimulant  and  diuretic. 
Maguey  meco,  Agave  lutea;  in  Central  Mexico.  The  purified 
juice  of  the  leaves  is  made  into  a  syrup,  which  has  pectoral  properties. 
Mamey,  Lucuma  Bonplandii,  Kunth;  Sapotacese;  in  hot  and  moist 
regions  of  the  western  slope  of  the  Mexican  mountains.  The  seed 
contains  hydrocyanic  acid  and  an  irritating  fixed  oil;  the  fruit  is 
comestible  and  the  bark  of  the  tree  is  bitter  and  astringent. 
Maranon,  Anacardium  occidentale,  Lin.;  Terebinthacese ;  in  Yucatan. 
The  peduncles  are  pectoral ;  the  gum  which  exudes  from  the  bark,  is 
used  in  the  same  manner  as  gum  mezquite;  the  juice  of  the  pericarp 
of  the  cashew-nut,  contains  anacardic  acid  and  the  ver  yacrid  prin- 
ciple cardol,  and  is  used  as  a  vesicant  and  for  destroying  warts. 
Maravilla,  Mirabilis  dichotoma,  Lin.;  Nyctaginacese ;  in  Central 
Mexico.    The  root  is  drastic  in  doses  of  8  to  10  gm. 
Mastuerzo,  Tropseolum  majus,  Lin.;  Tropaeolaceae ;  cultivated. 
The  juice  of  the  leaves  of  the  Indian  cress  is  used  as  an  antiscorbutic, 
and  the  infusion  of  the  flowers  as  a  digestive.  The  buds  preserved  in 
vinegar  are  employed  as  a  condiment  and  the  flowers  for  salad. 
Mazatetes,  Valeriana  toluccana,  De  Candolle;  Valerianacese ;  in 
fields  in  the  states  of  Mexico  and  Michoacan.  The  tubers  (tuberculos) 
contain  an  abundance  of  valerianic  acid,  are  employed  the  same,  as 
