690 TUCKAHOE, OR INDIAN BREAD. 



Tobacco root {Valeriana edulis), resembles iu several particulars the 

 root described by Smith and Beverly, especially in having its poison- 

 ous properties removed by prolonged cooking in the ground. (See 

 Fremont's "First and Second Expeditions," pp. 135 and 160; also Agri- 

 cultural Report for 1870 p. 409.) But as this species of Valeriana is 

 not found so far southeast as Virginia, this surmise wQl have to be aban- 

 doned and another answer sought. I am indebted to Prof. J. Hammond 

 Tmmbull for a reference which assisted in the solution of the problem. 

 In Kalm's "Travels," vol. 1, p. 388, we read: ^'■Taicho and Taicking was 

 the Indian name of another plant, the root of which they eat ; some of 

 them call it Tnckah, but most of the Swedes knew it by the name of 

 Tawko. It grows in moist grounds and swamps. This is the Aru7n 

 virginicum, or Virginia Wake Robin." And again: "Tawkee is another 

 plant, so called by the Indians who ate it. Some of them called it Tawkiu 

 and others Tackoim; the Swedes called it always by the name of Taw- 

 kee; this was the Oronfm/MogMfl^icM/n" (Golden Club). -- - "Tawho, 

 Tawhim, some call it Tucah. It grows in moi^t swamps, roots as large 

 as a man's thigh. When fresh, are pungent and considered jioisonous. 

 They were cooked in pits. It is the Arum virginicum^ or Virginia Wake 

 Robin, same as the Tuckahoe of North Carolina" (vol. 1, p. 389). This 

 description agrees with that given by Smith and Beverly, and as it was 

 -written by a botanist with suflicient knowledge of the habits of the In- 

 dians to speak with accuracy, we feel perfectly safe in accepting his 

 statement, and conclude that Tuckahoe, if not applied exclusively to the 

 Arum virginicum, at least included it, and its reputed nutritive proper- 

 ties were obtained from A, virginicum, or a similar root, as may also be 

 seen ftomthis quotation from Rafinesque's "Medical Flora," vol. 2, p. 270: 

 i' - - - all esculent roots were called Tuckahoe, such as Apios and pota- 

 toes. Tuckhaus is a solid white mass, with wrinkles and gemmules out- 

 side; several species seen (3) rugostts, leviusculus, and albidus. T. rug- 

 osus reaches 40 pounds weight. Fungose, when fresh, hard, brittle like 

 starch when dry, tasteless, inodorous, and esculent, eaten by Indians 

 in many ways." In order to substantiate this theory, we will appeal to 

 language as the final arbiter. We are again pleased to acknowledge 

 our indebtedness to the distinguished ethnologist. Professor Trumbull, 

 w^ho gave us access to liis notes. He says: " Tuckahoe, Tawkee [Dela- 

 ware, j^/itcg'Mi, mass, ^e/itfc^Mi; Gve.e,,'pittilcwoic'. round globular.] This 

 name, varied by the dialects of the several tribes, belonged to aU esculent 

 bulbous roots used by the Indians, among which are these: Orontium 

 aquaticum, Golden Club, and Pentandria virginica, Virginia Wake Robiu. 

 The word Tuckahoe is generic, and was given to several species, which 

 has misled the botanists and tangled the synonymy. The word is not 

 derived from the Indian word for 'bread' but the word for loaf or cale, 

 derived from ptucqui or ptuclcqueu, and signifies that which is made round, 

 or rounded. " This conclusion was reached before appealing to Dr. Trum- 

 bull, and it is a source of great satisfaction to have it indorsed by such 



