THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 139 



AMARANTHACEAE. 



Amaranthus paniciilatus. Prince's Feather. Seeds 

 used by the Mexicans as food. 



PHYTOLACACEAE. 



Phytolacca dccandra. Poke Weed. Young shoots used 

 as a potherb. Roots deadly poisonous. Berries once used as 

 a source of ink and pies are reported to have been made of them. 



CARYOPHYLLACEAE. 



Saponaria officinalis. Bouncing Bet. Roots yield 

 saponin in considerable quantity. 



PORTULACACEAE. 



Montia pcrfoliata. Indian Lettuce. Leaves and young 

 shoots used as a salad or potherb. 



Calandrinia caulcsccns. Wild Purslane. Plant used 

 as a potherb. 



Lewisia rcdiviva. Bitter-root. Roots eaten by the In- 

 dians. 



Portulaca olcracca. Purslane. Plant used as a potherb. 



Claytonia Virginka. Spring Beauty. The starchy 

 tubers of this species and of C. Caroliniana are edible. 



NYMPHAEACEAE. 



Nymphaca advena. Spatterdock. Rootstocks roasted 

 and eaten by the Indians. 



Castalia tubcrosa. White Water Lily. Rootstock 

 producing starchy tubers of considerable size which are said 

 to be edible. 



Nelumbo lutca. Lotus. Seeds sweet and edible. Called 

 "water chinquapin." Rootstock producing edible starchy 

 tubers. 



(To be Continued.) 



