TROPICAL FOOD MATERIALS 



57 



examples given above, the carbohydrates averaged 62 8 -7 grammes, 

 and the heat value 3,312 calories, which, for the average weight 

 of the prisoners, works out at over 60 calories per kilo of body 

 weight. 



It is probable the explanation of the low percentages of 

 nitrogen absorption shown by barley, bajra, and juar is that the 

 proteins of these cereals do not exist in forms capable of absorp- 

 tion. If this explanation should turn out to be the true one, it 

 would account for the great loss of protein in the faeces with 

 dietaries into whose composition any of these cereals enters at 

 all largely. Whatever the true explanation may be, these food- 

 stuffs, so far as their protein content is concerned, exhibit a very 

 poor degree of absorption ; so much, indeed, is this the case that 

 they are quite unsuitable to act as principals in the formation of 

 dietaries. 



The last class of food materials that it will be necessary to 

 discuss is that derived from the Leguminosse. The different 

 legumens used as food include the following dais : 



Arhar dal (Cajanus indicus). 

 Massur dal (Erbum lens). 

 Gram dal (Cicer arietinum). 

 Mung dal (Phaseolus mungo). 

 Mattar dal (Pisum sativum). 

 Kalai dal (Phaseolus radiatus). 

 Urid dal (Phaseolus radiatus). 



These dais all resemble the European pea in appearance, but 

 vary considerably in size. They are chiefly characterized by 

 their richness in protein, being termed for this reason " the poor 

 man's beef." The chemical composition of the different dais 

 shows the protein content to be uniformly high, the carbohydrates 

 well represented, and fats as a rule low in amount, although gram 

 dal has a very high percentage of fat : 



