42 



black stem is denuded of leaves, the plants look very like black men hold- 

 ing spears. The leaves afford good fodder for cattle, and the tender white 

 center is used as a vegetable. A fragrant resin, called acaroid resin, is ob- 

 tained from it. 



427. XIMENIA AMERICANA. A small tree, found in many warm regions; among 



others in southern Florida. In Brazil it is called the Native Plum on 

 account of its small yellow fruits, which have a subacid and somewhat 

 astringent aromatic taste. The wood is odoriferous and is used in the West 

 Indies as a substitute for sandalwood. 



428. YUCCA ALCEFOLIA. The yucca leaves afford a good fiber, and some southern 



species are known as bear's grass. The root stems also furnish a starchy 

 matter, which has been rendered useful in the manufacture of starch. 



429. ZAMIA FURFURACEA. This plant belongs to the order Cycadeacece, and is 



grown to some extent for the starchy matter contained in the stem, which 

 is collected and used as arrowroot; but it is not the true arrowroot, that 

 being produced by a species of Maranta. 



430. ZAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA. The coontie plant of Florida. The large succulent 



roots afford a quantity of arrowroot, said to be equal to the best of that 

 from Bermuda. The fruit has a coating of an orange-colored pulp, which 

 is said to form a rich edible food. It was from the roots of this plant that 

 the Seminoles of Florida obtained their white meal. 



431. ZINGIBER OFFICINALE. This plant is cultivated in most warm countries for 



the sake of its rhizomes, which furnish the spice called ginger . It is pre- 

 pared by digging up the roots when a year old, scraping them, and drying 

 them in the sun. Ginger, when broken across, shows a number of little 

 fibers embedded in floury tissue. Its hot pungent taste is due to a volatile 

 oil. It also contains starch and yellow coloring matter. Ginger is used 

 for various medicinal purposes, and in many ways as a condiment, and in 

 the preparation of cordials and so-called teas. 



