250. Dipteryx.—Tonka bean. 250a. Coumarinum.—Coumarin.

250. DIPTERYX.—TONKA BEAN. The fruit of a large tree, Dip'teryx odora'ta Willdenow, growing in Guiana. Oblong, flattened, rounded at each end, 37 to 50 mm. (1 ½ to 2 in.) long; pericarp thin, wrinkled, of a dark-brown color, somewhat glossy, and often covered with small, white crystals of coumarin; internally oily, pale brown; odor fragrant, similar to vanilla; taste aromatic and bitter. Its odor is due to the aromatic, crystalline principle coumarin. Used as a flavor, as an adulterant of vanilla, and to flavor cigars.

250a. COUMARINUM.—COUMARIN. The anhydride (C₆H₄(CH)_2OCO = 146.05) of ortho-oxycinnamic acid, occurring naturally in Tonka, Melilot and other plants, or prepared synthetically, N.F.

A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 1917, was written by Lucius E. Sayre, B.S. Ph. M.