Chia. 141 
threshed and cleaned like grain, finds purchasers in the markets 
_ and drug stores of Southern California, Southern Arizona, Sonora, 
Sinaloa, Lower California and the gulf side of Mexico. In these lo- 
-calities it is the basis of one of the most popular drinks used, not 
only by the Mexicans and Indians, but by many Americans. 
Salvia carduacea, of more limited range than the preceding, 
extending from Central California to the northern part of the pen- 
insula, is used in the same manner and under the same name. 
Salvia Hispanica grows about Guadalajara, in the State of Jalisco, 
and in the neighborhood of the City of San Luis Potosi. 
Salvia tiliefolia grows about the settlement known as Noroga- 
chic, inhabited by the Tarahumares, in the Sierra Madre. 
Salvia Chian, inhabiting the central table-lands of Mexico, has a 
wide distribution. 
Each of these plants is prized by the inhabitants of their locali- 
ties for the uses which can be made of them. S. Columbarie and 
‘S. Chian are the best adapted to cultivation, large crops of these 
species being grown and harvested with profit, the seeds being a 
staple article and in constant demand. 
One of the most refreshing drinks known is prepared by infusing 
the seed-like nutlets in water. The mucilagious drink resulting 
retains the aromatic properties, which are lost in the roast- 
ing, which is the preliminary step in preparing it for food; and 
when sweetened and flavored with lemon juice, is especially grate- 
ful in the hot days of summer, even to the sick, as it is easily borne 
by the most delicate stomach, and at the same time affords consid- 
erable nutrition. 
Chia meal is often mixed with the meal of roasted corn, or other 
grains. If used without further cooking, it is called as above, 
‘“pinole.’’ If cooked in water as gruel or porridge, it is “ atole.” 
It is a very agreeable food, particularly if sugar or flavoring is 
added. The Pima Indians are especially fond of Chia ‘‘atole,’’ 
and consume large quantities of it. 
The seeds of Salvia are useful in gastro-intestinal disorders, and 
it is often used in the manner of flax-seed as an emollient, or for 
cataplasms. 
CHIA GRANDE is Liyptis suaveolens, a very common plant in the 
State of Colima. The seeds are gathered in large quantities from 
_ wild plants as weil as from those cultivated as a crop by the Indians, 
