422 ON THE FARINACEOUS PRODUCTS 
is under ground, and secure from extremes of 
temperature.” 
The quantity of starch in the potatoe is most 
abundant in the winter months, but varies when 
grown in different soils, or climates, and by the 
manures employed. This is also observed in the 
cereal plants, the wheat grown in Sicily and the 
Crimea, possessing more gluten than that pro- 
duced in more northern latitudes; yet, by the 
use of manure, by better cultivation, and by their 
untiring energy in tillage, the residents in our 
less favoured regions, far surpass the inhabitants 
of more genial climes in the productiveness of 
their crops. 
The gluten of the potatoe, from the nitrogen it 
contains, renders the tuber of more value as an 
esculent, while the farinaceous productions of the 
tropics, although destitute of it, are as equally 
adapted to their use, as the more stimulating diet 
required for the sustenance of man in colder 
climates. 
Starch-bearing plants are, therefore, abundant 
in those regions. , In the Indian Archipelago, 
the palm-like trees yielding sago, Sagus Rum- 
