COO ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEOICA.
The seeds, called in the shops grains of paradise [grana paradisi),Guinea grains, are roundish or ovate, frequently bluntly angular, an 1somewhat cuneiform; shining golden brown; minutely rough, from siua*warts and wrinkles; internally white. Their taste is aromatic and vebe'mently hot or peppery: when crushed and rubbed between the fing e j stheir odour is feebly aromatic. Their greatest diameter rarely exceed1 4 lines. The acrid taste resides in the seed coats. ,
Commerce. —Grains of paradise are imported in casks, barrels, 311puncheons, from the coast of Guinea. The quantities on w hicli duty ( l " °shillings per lb.) has been paid during the last four years, is as foll°" s{Trade List ):—
In 1835,1836,
14,003 lbs. In 1837.17,134 lbs.
,16,-234 1838.16,199
lH
“ Extract or preparation of Guinea grains ” is mentioned by Fre" ,(Digested Abridgm. of the Laws of the Customs, 1819) in his table 0Imports, as paying a duty of two shillings per lb.
The heavy duty imposed on grains of paradise is intended to actprohibition of their use. ( Fourth Report of the African Institution, p-Comfosition.— Grains of paradise were analyzed in 1811 by Wi lle{Trommsdorjfs Journ. xx. St. 2 , 1811), who obtained the following Jtsuits -.—Volatile oil 0-52, acrid resin 3‘40, extractive T27, tragacaA 111and woody fibre 82-8 [? water and loss 12 - 01 ].
1. Hie volatile oil has a light yellow colour, a caniphoraceous smell, and a ^penetrating taste.
2. Hie resin is brown, soft, odourless, and has an acrid, burning taste.
a veri
Physiological Effects. —Analogous to those of pepper. ^erroneous notion prevails that these seeds are highly injurious. (E° sop. cit.) _ ^ tF
Uses. —Rarely employed as an aromatic. Esteemed in Africa £ ‘pmost wholesome of spices, and generally used by the natives to sttheir food.—( Fourth Report of the African Institution.) . , g a ji
Its principal consumption is in veterinary medicine, and to g 1 ' jjpartificial strength to spirits, wine, beer, and vinegar. By 56 Geo- ^c. 58, no brewer or dealer in beer shall have in his possession 0 j pi)grains of paradise, under a penalty of £200 for each offence : aI1druggist shall sell it to a brewer, under a penalty of £500 l° roffence.