0)1 the Vegetable Productions of Abyssinia 



403 



those of our " Lords-and-ladies," which are, 

 when peeled, eaten in a raw state. 



The Banana tribe (Musacese) is repre- 

 sented by one native species, figured by Bruce 

 under the native name, Ensete ; but he was 

 so ignorant of what constitutes botanical 

 characters that he would not be persuaded 

 that it was a species of Musa. 



This species is now called Musa Ensete, 

 and has long been cultivated in this coun- 

 try.* Besides its botanical characters, it 

 differs from the other species in having a 

 shorter stem, larger leaves, and an inedible 

 fruit. M. Richard refers specimens collected 

 by Quartin-Dillon to M. Paradisiaca, the 



•In the "Gardeners' Chronicle" of January 25, 

 1868, is the following notice: — "A fine specimen 

 of the grand Musa Ensete, generally known as 

 Brace's Banana, is now flowering in an orangery at 

 .Stowe, the seat of the Duke of Buckingham and 

 Chandos." 



Plantain, but with a doubt, and asks if it is 

 not the same as the one figured by Bruce ;. 

 but most likely M. Paradisiaca is cultivated 

 in this, as in many other parts of tropical 

 Africa, where it is extensively used as an 

 article of diet. At any rate there is no doubt 

 about the existence of a Musa, as described 

 and figured by Bruce. The Ensete is also 

 cultivated for the edible leaf-stalks and stem. 

 Bruce says : — 



" When you make use of this Ensete for eating, you 

 cut it immediately above the small detached roots, and 

 perhaps a foot or two higher ; as the plant is of age, 

 you strip the gi-een from the upper part until it becomes 

 white ; when soft, like a turnip well boiled, it has the 

 taste of the best new wheat bread, not perfectly baked, 

 and is the best of all food, wholesome, nourishing, 

 and easily digested. It is cultivated around Gondar." 



The root of the Ensete is also eaten as 

 a vegetable by the natives, and tastes some- 

 what like a potato; and the leaves are said 

 to furnish c:ood fodder for cattle. 



