Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/597

N.O.ROSACÆ 517

Apricot kernels contain from 40 to 45 per cent, of an almost colourless oil which becomes yellow on keeping. Apricot oil is so similar to almond oil in its physical and chemical characters that most ot the figures for these constants are of very little use for the purpose of identification. Apricot oil, however, with nitric acid, specific gravity 1.4, assumes an orange colour, and with Bieber's reagent a peach-blossom colour is obtained. Bieber's test is carried out by agitating five volumes of oil with one volume of a mixture consisting of equal parts (by weight) of concentrated sulphuric acid, fuming nitric acid, and water. Pure almond oil does not change in colour, whereas apricot kernel oil gives a pink (peach-blossom) colour, and peach kernel a faint pink colouration after standing some time. Mixtures containing 25 per cent, of apricot oil cannot be detected with certainty by means oi this test,

Vern.:— Alu-bâlu (U. P.); Gilâs, olchi (Pb.)

Habitat : — Cultivated in the Himalayas, the Punjab and the United Provinces.

A middle-sized tree, the bark peeling off m horizontal stripes. Leaves elliptic or obovate, abruptly acuminate, irregularly crenate, serrate ; petioles less than breadth of leaf, 2 glands on petiole or on the base of the blade, stipules fimbriate. Flowers white, on long slender pedicels, in fascicles of 2-5, from lateral, generally leaf-bearing, buds. Calyx turbinate, lobes obtuse. Drupes glabrous, with a polished round stone.

Uses:— The bark which is bitter, is said to possess febrifugal properties. The kernel is supposed to be a nervine tonic, and is used for the same purposes as hydrocyanic acid, of which it contains a considerable proportion. (WATT).