MISCELLANEOUS FOOD-PRODUCTS 



107 





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Fig. 115, I. — Cacao {Thcohroma Cacao, Silk-C'iittun Family, Stcrculiacew) . 

 The plant is a tree 3-13 m. tall, with shining leaves, and brownish-red 

 flowers which spring from the trunk and older branches, and produce 

 yellowish, orange, or brownish fruits, somewhat resembling a squash. 

 (Baillon.) 



ocean, i.s used for food, generally in a sort of pudding, some- 

 what as tapioca. The whole plant is cooked, after having 

 being dried and bleached in the sun at the time of gathering. 

 The principal chemical constituent (see chart) is a mucilagi- 

 nous carbohydrate which swells greatly in water and gives to 

 Irish moss blanc-mange its jelly-like character. 



Finally must be mentioned as widely cultivated for food 

 the common field mushroom (Fig. 119) which, as the chart 

 will show, compares favorably with many vegetables in the 

 percentage of nutritious constituents. The statement is 

 frequently made, however, by writers who ought to be better 



