198 



T1IE YEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



2. CHENOPODIACE^; (Beta vulgaris) Beet. 



(Spinacia oleracea) Spinach. 



The most import- 

 ant species of 

 this order is the 

 Beetroot, em- 

 ployed in France 

 for the produc- 

 tion of sugar. 

 Its variety, Man- 

 gold-wurzel (Be- 

 ta altissima), is 

 also extensively 

 used as food for 

 cattle. 



Beetroot. 



3. POLYGONACEJE (Polygoiium Fagopyrum) Buckwheat. 

 (Rumex obtusifolius) Dock. 



Buck-wheat is used as food in 

 America and other places, and 

 the root of the " Rheum palina- 

 tum " furnishes the Rhubarb of 

 commerce. It is brought from 

 Turkey ; but is grown in China, 

 and thence passes through the 

 hands of Russians to Turkey. 

 Other species of Rhubarb, as 

 " Rheum compactum," are cul- 

 tivated here for the sake of the 

 leaf-stalk, which has an agree- 

 able acid taste, and is much 

 used for making tarts and 

 Buckwheat. puddings. 



