162 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES 



Indian Arrow-root Maranta arundinacea. 



M. ramosissima of India are thus cultivated. The 

 name by which it is commonly known it owes to 

 the use which was formerly made of another plant 

 which was once confounded with it, but is now dis- 

 tinguished by the name of Jllpinia galanga. The 

 Indians employed that root for extracting the virus 

 communicated by their poisoned arrows. 



The starchy matter, for the obtaining of which the 

 plant is cultivated, is prepared by the following 

 process : When the roots are a year old they are 

 dug up, and having first been well washed in 

 clear water, are either grated or beaten to a pulp, 



