Lhe Natural Hiffory of Jamaica. 16 7 
The ‘common Aram, Leaves and Roots, and Dracentism Roots were in 
ancient times boiled and eaten, as may appear from Dio{corides and Galen. 
It is Adfiringent, and good againft Fluxes. It makes the People feedin 
on it pale. Loz. : 
Pliny fays Avon is efculent. Czjalp. 
Twas brought into Portugal from Africa, where the Slaves love ir very 
_much. In Azypt they feed on it as we on Turnips, putting a little of the 
Ale intothe River fide. He faw it (Rawelf) grow ahout Zripoli and Halepo. 
Ht}. 
_ The Hippopotamus lives on its Roots in Egypt, where it grows wild, and 
in Sicély, and the Kingdom of Naples. It is eaten and praifed by the Slaves 
and Turks at Naples. It is not the Faba Aégyptia. Col. 
it is pernicious in the Root, and therefore muft be three or four days 
macerated in water, being flic’d to wafh off its Mucilage, which is dele- 
terious, then the Roots are prefs'd, dry’d in the Sun, and made into Flower 
afterwards made into Cakes. The Favans of Mataras were killed by it, 
eating of it many Weeks, Befieging the Dutch, and wanting Rice. It kills 
2 bringing the Dyfentery. The firft Decoction is to be thrown away. 
Ont, 
XLI. Arum minus, nymphee foliis efenlentum. Cat. p. 62. Tab. 106. Fig. 1. 
Choux Caraibes. De Bouton. p.47.. Sonzes de Placourt, p. 117. Efpece de Chou 
de Biet. p.335. Rapunculus Braflienfis tuberofus, feu Battata Tajacba Brafili- 
enfrins. Marcer. Pif. Rait hiff. p 1334. Campanula tuberofa Indica convolvuli 
cordatis foliis denfioribus radice e[culenta. Pluken. Alm. p.78. An Arum minus 
Benzclen{> colocafia foliis Ejufdem. Alm.p. 51? <n Arum Zeylanicum mings 
colocape facie pediculis punicantibus, Cr viridantibus. Ferm. par, Bat. pr. p. 314 ? 
Parad. p.77 2 Colocafia Brafiliana lactefcens latifolia caule fufco. Tajaoba. Pif. 
t Marecr. Bjufd. par. Bat. p. 86. An Arum humile Ceylanicum latifolinm  pi- 
ftilte cotcineo. Comm. hort. part. ¥. p-97- Indian Cail, or Tajas the leffer. - 
This has a fall tubcrous Root, bigger than a Walnut, and feveral 
Leaves rifing from the fame Root, about a Foot high from the Ground, the 
Foot-Stalks firpport'a Leafvery like thofe of Colocafta, only fmaller, being of 
a yellowifh green colour, and very like in Figure, Colour, Ribs, @c. to the 
Leaves of the white 4water Lilly. “Ihe Flowér ‘and Fruieftand on peculiar 
Foot-Stalks, like thofe of the other Arums. 
They are planted ‘here very carefully, in moft Plantations. 
The Roots are eaten as Batatas, but their chief ufe is for the Leaves, 
which are boil’d, and -with Butter eat, as Coleworts, and to the taft are 
extremely -pleafing. 
They leofen the Belly. Pifo. His Figure is good. 
Thele of Madacafcar eat ‘this Root, in want of Tams or Rice, as we the 
Leaves in Pottage. Cuanché. B22 
XL Arum minus efculentum, fagittaria foliis viridi-nigricantibus. “Cat p63. 
Tab. 106. Fig.2. An Arum -montanum colocafte raiice rotunda. FLerm. par. 
Batip. 8 > Colocifia Brafiliana tathelcons latifelia, Canle vivid, Mangere pean. 
FUE bar: Bist p. Bp ee ee eee eee. | 
This in-every thing is like'the preceding, orily the'Leaves are larger, nar- 
rower, “and nor fo-round, being liker‘to our common Arym: {mooth, of.a 
very dark green cdlout, oft, and fomewhat corrugated on its furface, with a 
Welt round the edges. z ae 
It is planted as the former, and ferves for the fame purpofes. 
Pif 
