THE WILD PLANTAIN (MUSA SUPERBA, ROKB.). 59 X 



Mr. Burkill adds in forwarding the report that " the parts sent for 

 analysis are rather . . . innutritions," and while the above chemical 

 analysis betrays this it is a curious circumstance how, nevertheless, the 

 analysed portions are so much prized and consumed. 



When a Kathodi or Koli comes home after a hard day's work from 

 the forests it is quite a familiar sight to find him bringing home one or 

 two wild plantain herbaceous shoots weighing 81bs. to lOlbs. each. Out 

 of 30 to 40 of such wild tribesmen who were returning homo from the 

 forests in Indian file up a hill during the season of 11)00-01 in Mokhada 

 when distress existed in the district, almost every adult was observed 

 carrying one %nd perhaps two Kowdurs adjusted at both the ends of a 

 pole which was slung across his shoulders. 



The ordinary method of preparing the sheathing leaf-stalks for food 

 is by stripping them and boiling each separately. Each sheath is eaten 

 in the manner of artichokes, the fibrous portion being thrown away. 



The root-stock or tuberous portion below ground is boiled, sliced and 

 eaten. This is considered more nutritious. But the more interesting 

 method of preparation of the plant is by cooking the whole root -stock 

 and convolute leaf-sheaths together in an improvised oven as follows : — 

 A large circular pit 7 feet diameter is dug to the depth of about 2 to 

 3 feet, at the bottom of which is placed a quantity of hay. Over this 

 several billets of firewood are laid and on the latter is arranged a layer of 

 large round boulders (about 3 feet in circumference each) closely packed 

 together. The heap so formed is ignited and allowed to burn for several 

 hours till the stones are red hot and fall in. Above this disordered 

 heap of red hot stones are arranged the Kowdurs 15 or 16 in number 

 placed upright. 



The latter are then covered over and closely packed together with 

 tahal, i.e., branch-wood and leaves, over which a layer of soft fine earth 

 1 to 2 inches deep is spread. When completed the heap assumes the 

 shape of a conical mound not unlike that of an ordinary jungle charcoal 

 kiln. At the apes of this mound is placed a Kowdur, the root-stock 

 being concealed in the earth, the remaining portion standing erect out- 

 side. 



The heap is left for about three days smouldering when the Kowdur 

 at the apex is examined to see if the root-stock is sufficiently cooked. If 

 so the heap is opened and the Kowdurs inside are then removed and 



