(57 O SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Genera : — Tacca, Ataccia. These are the only genera ; there 

 are 8 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The roots are bitter and acrid, but 

 when cultivated they become larger, and lose in some degree 

 their acridity and bitterness, and contain much starch, which 

 when separated is used for food. 



Tacca.— The roots of T. oceanica yield the starch known as Tacca starch, 

 Tahiti ArrowTOot, or Otaheite Salep. It may be employed as a substitute 

 for West Indian Arrowroot. Cakes made from this starch are eaten by the 

 natives of Otaheite and the other Society Islands. This plant is commonly 

 cultivated in the Society Islands. T. pinnatifida is by some considered to be 

 identical with the former species. Like it, the roots contain starch, which 

 when extracted is used as food by the inhabitants of China, Cochin China, 

 Travancore, &.c. 



Natural Order 258. Beomeliacbje. — The Pine-Apple or 

 Bromelia OrJer. — Character. — Herbs or somewhat woody 

 plants, commonly epiphytical. Leaves persistent, crowded, chan- 

 nelled, rigid, sheathing at base, and frequently scurfy and with 

 spiny margins. Flowers showy. Ferianth superior, or nearly or 

 quite inferior, arranged in two whorls, the outer of which has 

 its parts commonly united into a tube ; and the inner has its 

 parts distinct, imbricated, and of a different colour to those of 

 the outer whorl. Stamens 6; anthers intxorse. Omr^ 3-celled ; 

 st?/le 1. Fruit {fig. 266) capsular or indehiscent, 3-celled. 

 Seeds numerous ; embryo minute, at the base of mealy albumen, 

 with the radicle next the hilum. 



Distribution, ^'c. — They are mostly found in the tropical 

 regions of America, West Africa, and the East Indies. They 

 appear to have been originally natives of America and the ad- 

 joining islands, but are now naturalised in "West Africa and the 

 East Indies. Examples of the Genera: — Ananassa, Bromelia, 

 Tillandsia. There are about 180 species. 



Properties and Uses.- — They are chiefly important for yielding 

 edible fruits and useful fibrous materials. Some are anthel- 

 mintic, and others contain colouring matters. 



Ananassa sativa, the Pine-apple.— The fruit of this species is the weU- 

 known and delicious fruit, the Pine-apple. A large number of these fruits 

 axe now imported into Britain, chiefly from the Bahama Islands, but in 

 flavour, &c. they are very inferior to those produced iu this country. 

 The unripe fruit possesses anthehnintic properties. The fibre obtained 

 from the leaves of this species, as well as that from one or more species 

 of Bromelia and Tillandsia, is known under the name of Pine-apple fibre, 

 and has been used for various textile fabrics, and for the manufacture of 

 paper, cordage, &c, 



Billbergia tinctoria. — In Brazil a yellow colouring agent is obtained from 

 the roots of this plant. 



Bromelia Pinguin possesses vermifuge properties. Its leaves yield useful 

 fibres. 



Tillandsia nsneoides is commonly called Tree-beard or Old Man's Beard, 

 from the fact of its forming a mass of dark-coloured fibres, which hang from 

 the trees in South America, like certain of the Lichens iu cold climates. 

 This article has been imported under the name of Si^anish Moss, and em- 

 ployed for stuffing cushions, &c., mixed with horsehair. It has been also 

 used for stuffing birds, and for other purposes. 



