195  — WRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Cyperus, 
three, or four black and brown, longitudinally striated sheaths, 
which burst and fall off in succession. There are many capillary 
fibres issuing from the base of the culm. The stolones generally push 
their way up through the sheaths, and out at their mouths, run ho- 
rizontally, producing from their extremities the new plant. Onremov- 
ing the sheath a small truncated, pointed ball is observed, resting in 
the upper side of the base of the culm, which (onion-like) is form- 
ed by the united sheaths of the leaves. This little bulb, which is 
slightly connected to the base of the culm on which it rests, is the 
eatable part; it is composed of two or three coats, and about the size 
of a pea; when its proper exterior brown membranous sheath is 
removed, it is very white, inviting to the eye, and pleasant to the 
taste.— Culm erect, two-thirds naked, between round, and three-sid- 
ed, two, three, or four inches loug.— Leaves a few, filiform on.the 
upper side, grooved, four or five inches long, below the surface of 
‘the earth, their sheaths form the little firm culm above-mentioned; 
from its head the capillary roots and stolones issue. — Umbel simple, 
composed of from six to ten sessile, linear, diverging spikes. —Ino- 
lucre generally three-leaved, unequal, the largest twice as long as the 
spikes ; they issue not as usual from the same point, but alternately 
one above another.—Scales oblong, striated.— Stigma two-cleft.— 
Seed roundish, three-sided, grey. | 
Obs. 'The little bulbs are gently roasted or boiled, then rubbed be- 
tween the hands or the folds of a cloth, to take off the sheaths, which 
is all the preparation the natives give them, to make thema pleasant 
wholesome part of their diet, which they have frequent resource to; 
particularly in times of scarcity. Some dry them in the sun, grind - 
them into meal, and make bread of them, while others stew them 
in their curries and other dishes; they are palatable, tasting like a roast 
ed potatoe. I wish they could be enlarged by culture, when they 
might soon prove a valuable acquisition, for on account of their 
smallness, it is troublesome and tedious gathering and cleaning any 
quantity of them. 
