192 1RIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. ClfpeiUS. 



tudinally striated sheaths, which burst and fall off in succes- 

 sion. There are many capillary fibres issuing from the base 

 of the culm. The stolones generally push their way up 

 through the sheaths, and out at their mouths, run horizontal- 

 ly, producing from their extremities the new plant. On re- 

 moving the sheath a small truncated, pointed ball is observed, 

 resting in the upper side of the base of the culm, which (onion- 

 like) is formed by the united sheaths of the leaves. This lit- 

 tle bulb, which is slightly connected to the base of the culm 

 on which it rests, is the eatable part; it is composed of two or 

 three coats, and about the size of a pea ; when its proper exte- 

 rior brown membranous sheath is removed, it is very white, 

 inviting to the eye, and pleasant to the taste. Culm erect, 

 two-thirds naked, between round, and three-sided, two, three, 

 or four inches long. Leaves a few, filiform on the upper side, 

 grooved, four or five inches long", below the surface of the 

 earth, their sheaths form the little firm culm above-mention- 

 ed ; from its head the capillary roots and stolones issue, Um- 

 hel simple, composed of from six to ten sessile, linear, diverg- 

 ing spikes. Involucre generally three-leaved, unequal, the 

 largest twice as long as the spikes ; they issue not as usual 

 from the same point, but alternately one above another. 

 Scales oblong, striated. Stigma two-cleft. Seed roundish, 

 three-sided, grey. 



Obs. The little bulbs are gently roasted or boiled, then 

 rubbed between the hands or the folds of a cloth, to take oft* the 

 sheaths, which is all the preparation the natives give them, to 

 make them a pleasant wholesome part of their diet, which they 

 have frequent resource to, particularly in times of scarcity. 

 Some dry them in the sun, grind them into meal, and make 

 bread of them, while others stew them in their curries and other 

 dishes ; they are palatable, tasting like a roasted potatoe. I 

 wish they could be enlarged by culture, when they might soon 

 prove a valuable acquisition, for on account of their small- 

 ness, it is troublesome and tedious gathering and cleaning any 

 quantity of them. 



