WILD PLANTS USED AS FOOD. 



179 



cient modes of husbandry, arising out of insecurity 

 of property, dearths were by no means of uncommon 

 occurrence, the roots of this weed were devoured as 

 one of the substitutes for bread. 



Couch-grass. 



In Africa, in those constantly recurring seasons of 

 scarcity produced by the want of rain, the people 

 apply themselves to gathering seeds borne by grass- 

 plants that have grown without moisture, of which 

 they make a wretched bread. f These people,' say* 



