216 CASSAVA CAKES. 



they resemble the acrid " lords and ladies " of our 

 hedges, hut when dressed, they form an wholesome 

 and nutritious vegetable. Laurel leaves contain a 

 poisonous juice, yet they are used occasionally in 

 different kinds of cooking ; and while baking, the 

 heat dissipates the noxious principle, and leaves the 

 harmless one behind. Art and perseverance, there- 

 fore, has prepared from the fatal manioc, an whole- 

 some and nutritious food. 



The massive root is first reduced by grating to fine 

 meal, and the process which succeeds is very similar 

 to that pursued by us in reference to wheat ; the 

 meal is pressed and dried, which corresponds to the 

 drying and threshing of corn. It is then beaten fine 

 in a mortar, and sifted, to separate the bran from the 

 flour; these also resemble, in their operation and 

 effects, the winnowing and the grinding, and the 

 dressing of wheat. But here the analogy ends, and 

 the course of preparation terminates : for the natives 

 are unacquainted with the process of leaven. But 

 instead of this they retain a sufficient quantity of 

 moisture to produce a mutual adhesion of the par- 

 ticles, and which, when heated, acts as a cement in 

 binding the meal together; the shape first given 

 to the cakes in kneading, is thus preserved, and 

 when thoroughly baked, they are called cassava 

 cakes. 



These cakes are sold in the markets, and are 

 highly esteemed for their nutritious qualities. The 

 Spaniards found them in general use among the 

 natives, who called them carzabbi, and preferred 

 them to every other kind of diet, on account of the 

 ease with which they were digested, and the facility 



