78 



ZEA MAYS, Linn. 

 Great Corn. Maize. Indian Corn. 



Native of America. 



An annual grass, 4-10 feet high, with large leaves ; flowers uni- 

 sexual. (Graminece.) 



Analysis of Maize yields in 100 parts, 54*37 starch, 8*83 nitrogenous 

 substance, 450 fat, 270 gum and sugar, 15'77 cellulose, 1216 water, 

 and 167 ash. It contains less nitrogenous substance than wheat, and 

 is therefore less nutritious, but it contains more fat than any other 

 cereal. 



ZINGIBER OFFICINALE, Rose. 

 Ginger. 



Native of tropical Asia. 



A perennial herb, with a root-stock consisting of many roundish 

 joints ; leafy stems 3 or 4 feet high ; leaves narrow, pointed with long 

 sheathing stalks; flowering-stems 6 to 12 inches high ; flowers small, 

 yellow and purple, in a cone-like head. ( Zingiber acem.) 



Root-Stock dried forms the ginger of commerce. 



Ginger is used as a condiment, and the young shoots are preserved 

 in syrup. 



Medicinally, ginger possesses stimulant, aromatic, and carminative 

 properties ; and is of value in atonic dyspepsia. When chewed it acts 

 as a sialagogue, and is employed in relaxed conditions of the uvula and 

 tonsils. As a rubefacient, it relieves headache and toothache. 



ZIZYPHUS CHLOROXYLON, Oliv. 



CoGWOOD. 



Native of Jamaica. 



A tree ; ] eaves simple, alternate, 3-nerved. 



Wood. " A very hard and tough wood, twisted grain ; is used for 

 mill framings, cogwheels, &c." (Harrison.) 



"Throughout the interior hills, notably St. Ann's. Grows to a 

 large size, but most of the available timber has been destroyed, only 

 small trees being found at present. The wood is dark, close-grained 

 and heavy; used for coffee-mills and water-mills/' (Hooper.) 



