53 



MANIHOT UTILTSSIMA, PohL 



Cassava, Manioc, Mandioc. 



Native probably of Brazil. 



A half- shrubby perennial, with very large yellowish roots filled with 

 a milky juice, generally poisonous ; leaves large, very deeply divided 

 into 3 to 7 segments ; fruit with six narrow, thick wings. {Euphor- 

 hiacece.) 



There are a number of varieties, according to colour of stem and 

 division of leaves. There is also one with a non-poisonous juice in the 

 root. But the plant generally known as " Sweet Cassava," is with- 

 out wings on the fruit, and has a reddish root. (Manihot Aij)i f Vohl.) 



Bitter Cassava Root abounds in a milky poisonous juice, and does 

 not become soft by boiling or roasting. 



Sweet Cassava Root has a non-poisonous juice, has tough portions 

 in the centre, but becomes quite soft by boiling, and is eaten like 

 potatoes. 



Cassava Meal is prepared from both kinds. The root is grated, by 

 which the cells, containing the juice and starch-grains, are broken 

 up. The grated material is placed under pressure, sometimes with 

 water pouring through it. The pressure squeezes out all the juice; 

 while a certain proportion of the starch- grains passes over with the 

 liquor. The substance left under pressure consists chiefly of the cell- 

 walls broken up, but also of some starch grains. This is Cassava Meal 

 which is dried on hot plates, and made into Cassava cakes. The liquor 

 which passes away under pressure, being the pure juice only, or the 

 juice mixed with water, is allowed to stand for some time, when the 

 starch settles to the bottom, and the liquor is poured off. The starch- 

 grains, as seen under the microscope, are mullar- shaped. This is Cas- 

 sava starch proper, as distinguised from Cassava meal. 



Tapioca is prepared by heating moistened cassava starch on hot 

 plates. This process alters the grains, which swell up, many bursting, 

 and then they agglomerate in small irregular masses. 



Cassareep is the juice of the bitter cassava root, concentrated by 

 heat, which also dissipates the volatile poisonous principle. The same 

 is further flavoured with aromatics. Boiled with peppers and fish or 

 meat, it forms the "West Indian " pepper-pot." 



MANILA HEMP. See Musa textilis. 



MANIOC. See Manihot utilssima. 



MELICOCCA BIJUGA, Linn. 

 Genip. 



Native of Trinidad and tropical South America. 



A large tree, 40 to 50 feet high ; leaves pinnate ; flowers very nu- 

 merous, small, fragrant ; fruit green, size of a pigeon's egg, (Sapin- 

 dacece.) 



