MACE, Jean, zhOn French educator and writer: b. Paris, France, 22 April 1815; d. there, 13 Dec. 1894. He was educated at the Collige Stanislas, served in the French army, 1842-45, was editor of La Republique in 1848 and as such was a strong supporter of the Rev olution of that year. In 1851, on the coup &Etat, he had to withdraw from Paris, and subsequently taught school in Alsace for 10 years. In 1866 fie founded a league of instruction in the Bel gian manner. He was decorated with the Legion of Honor in 1880, and elected senator in 1883. He was the author of many popular books for young people, the aim of which was mainly educational, among them his best-known work, 'Contes de petit-chateau> (1862), called in the English translation 'Home Fairy Tales); `History of a Mouthful of Bread' (1861) ; 'Servants of the Stomach' (1866) ; 'France Before the Franks) (1:.:1).
MACE (Lat niacir, Greek itaxeP, an East Indian spice), an aromatic spice made from the arillode or false aril which covers the seed of a nutmeg (Myristica fragrant). The yel
low external covering of the nutmeg (q.v.) being removed, the red, rather fleshy, arillode which partially conceals the nutmeg is en countered. After drying in the sun for several days this becomes more or less translucent and usually orange yellow and waxy. In this form it is largely exported from the Spice Islands, where it is native, and from the West Indies, where it has been introduced into cultivation. The powerful but agreeable nutmeg-like odor and flavor characteristic of it are due to a volatile oil which is obtained by distillation for use in perfumery and culinary articles. A but tery fixed oil obtained by expression is used af ter the admixture of the volatile oil under the names nutmeg balsam and nutmeg butter. White mace is obtained from M. otoba and red mace from M. tingens; also a low grade from M. Mtn°, but this is rarely found in the market. Mace is also largely used whole or ground in cookery.