Vcgciabic Productions of Abyssinia 3 1 3 



fomily, Dioscoreacere, natives of Abyssinia; and one, Dioscorea 

 Schimperiana, is found in almost every part, but whether any use 

 is made of its roots is unknown to me. Aroidese are not largely 

 represented. A species of Arum, called " Ambatcha," has tuber- 

 ous roots, similar to those of our " Lords-and-ladies," which 

 are, when peeled, eaten in a raw state. 



The Banana tribe (Musacese) is represented 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 country.* 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 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 exis- 

 tence 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 liigher ; as the plant is of 

 age, you strip the green 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 per- 

 fectly 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 somewhat like a potato; and the leaves are said 

 to furnish good fodder for cattle. 



Two species of Conifer^e are indigenous — viz., Podocarpus 

 elongata and Juniperus procera. The latter is called "Zadd," and 

 is one of the largest trees in the country, yielding a hard and 

 durable timber, much sought after for building purposes. 



Willows, or Salicines, so familiar to us, are not unknown to the 

 Abyssinian, there being three species (Salix axillaris, S. cyathipoda, 

 and S. octandra) on the mountains. One species of Gale (Myrica 

 salicifolia) grows in the mountainous districts ; it is, unlike ours, a 



•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." 



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