The Natural Hiffory of Jamaica. 4 3 9 
XXIV. Volubilis nigra, radice alba ant purpurea maxima, tuberofa, efculenta, 
farinacea, caule membranulis extantibus alato, folio cordato nervofo. Cat. p. 46, 
Ignafme de Biet. p. 335- Cambares de Flacourt. p» 115. An Owihares Ejafd ib? 
racine noire-de Maire. p. 99. An Ricophora Magna Virginiana bryonia Nigre 
modo volubilis, fingularis folio nervolo flexili, caule tetragoxo ad angulos alato 
Plukenet. Alms. p. 321 2 Tames of Dampier ? p.9 2? Aa Rizophora caule alato ru- 
bente folio fineulari Flerm. par. Bat. Cat. p. 11? Ph 
The Root isa Foot or more long, Brown on the outfides, with feveral 
long Fibers, running out on all fides to draw its Nourifhment. — It is very 
thick, fometimes roundifh, being within vifcid, before ic be boiled, and of 
a ‘white, or reddith purple colour, and very mealy when boiled : of the big- 
ne(S of ones Leg or Thigh. The Stalk is of the bignefs of a Goofe-Quill, 
{quare, at each corner having a thin, reddifh, extant Membrane, making 
it alated.- It rurns and winds its felf round Poles by this Stalk, rifing nine 
or ten Foot high, and putting forth Leaves at every three Inches diftance, 
fet oppofite to one another, having two Inches long, green, {quare, alated 
Foot-Stalks. ‘The Leaves are two [nches and a half long, an Inch and three 
quarters broad atthe round Bafe, Almoft of the fhape of a Heart, and 
pointed, of a yellowith green colour, having many Ribs, taking their'be- 
ginning from the end of the Foor-Stalk, as from a common Center, with 
tran{verfe ones between. Ex alis foliorum come Inch or more long Strings, 
with {mall Flowers of a yellowifh green colour, to which follow many dark 
brown, finall Seeds, of an irregular fhape, flicking fometimes to the String, 
and fometimes to its Branches. 
Knox {ays that in Zeylon they grow wild in the Woods, and are there 
as good as thofé planted, only they ate’ more‘fcarce, and grow deeper, and 
fo are more difficult to be plucked up, therefore are generally planted and 
very cheap. | EN jL4e3, 
Thole of Madagafcar plant them in Fields plain and untitld, and: after 
twelve months dig, and keep them in Magazines,’ They are planted by 
the people for their King in November in holes a Foot {quare, and at two 
Foot diftance. Zd. 
They grow in many places of the Eaff and Weff-Indies. Dampier. 
They are eaten as Bread, being rofted under the Fire, or boiled, being 
very mealy. ‘They are eaten likewife with Pepper and Oil, and for Bread 
in Guincey. 
They are planted, having no Seed, by putting a {mall cut piece of one 
of the Roots into the ground. Lery. 
The Zudians fay that a great Caraibe, or Prophet, brought thefe, and 
taught a young Woman how co plant them by pieces, from whence they are 
come comion, and eat in lieu of Bread. Zhevet.Cofmogr. Thefe people 
lived on wild Herbs and Roots before. His figure is fabulous. 
The Author of the Avi/. Lugd. Confounds this and Potatoes, for thefe 
Yams are not planted by the Slip bur Root, =~ : 2589 
They fend them with Earth-Nuts, (Arachidna,) for Lisbon, from St. Zhome, 
to Vidtual their Slaves by the way. Clif. > | | 
Rotlf, doubts whether this Root, being like Caffada, ic be not that-inno- 
cent one of Brafil, may be eaten, but thatis another, and particular kind of 
Tuca. : 
They grow in Zeylan. The Roots are eat by Swine and other Creatures. 
The Juice of the Leaves is good againft Scorpions \biting. The Root pow- 
dered with Catupanna-Kelengn, is ftrewed on malignant Ulcers, with good 
fuccefS, and ufed in Fomentations. 4. M1. Jistt 
XXV. Vi (n 
