27 



known as Sweet Cassava, and it is considered quite possible that 

 poison will be found in the juice of that plant as known in Jamaica, 

 as well as in the roots of the bitter variety, in the same way as in 

 Trinidad. There can be no possible doubt that the manner of cooking 

 has a very sensible influence on the presence or non-presence of the 

 poisonous principle, as by the iise of some methods the Bitter Cassava 

 is said to be used as fearlessly as the sweet. The methods referred to 

 are those which dissipate the peculiarly volatile principle of Prussic 

 Acid, and thus render the starchy portions quite suitable for consump- 

 tion, and this may be accomplished in the case of Bitter Cassava by 

 frequently changing the water during the boiling process. 



Francis gives the analysis of typical of specimens of each kind as 

 follows : — 



The comparison of results in this analysis is very striking — 

 especially so in the amount of fibre present. One of the distinguishing 

 characters has been stated in public to be the amount of fibre present 

 in the root ; but it is clear if the analysis is reliable, (and we have no 

 reason to doubt it), this character is of little value. It will be safer 

 for those eating of the presvimed non-poisonous Sweet Cassava to be 

 careful that it is boiled in two or three waters, as by so doing it will 

 in any case be I'endered perfectly safe, and should (as may happen) 

 the poisonous kind be in any way substituted this method will 

 remove the greater elements of danger. 



102.— BERMUDA ARROWROOT.— ilfaran^a Anmdinacea. 



In the annual Report of this Department for 1892, the subject of 

 the growth of "Arrowroot" was discussed. It was shown that the 

 variety growing in Trinidad previous to 1892 was a very unproductive 

 one, and that since the introduction of the St. Lucia variety good 

 starch and in paying quantity has been produced. Subsequently to 

 this, plants were introduced from Bermuda, a place celebrated for the 

 high quality of its arrowroot, and the product of these plants has been 

 proved to be superior to any hitherto known in Trinidad. 



