EDIBLE TUBERS, BULBS OR ROOTS 



C. and E. (the skelaps of the Spokanes) ; P. Geyeri^ 

 Wats.; P. amhignum, T. and G., P. cous, Wats, 

 (the cow-as of the In- 

 dians). The tubers may 

 be consumed raw and in 

 that state have a celery 

 flavor. The most usual 

 method of use among the 

 Indians, however, was to 

 remove the rind, dry the 

 inside portion, and pul- 

 verise it. The flour 

 would then be mixed 

 with water, flattened into 

 cakes and dried in the 

 sun or baked. These 

 cakes, according to 

 Palmer,^ were custom- 

 arily about half an inch 

 thick but a yard long by 

 a foot wide, with a hole 

 in the middle, by which 

 they could be tied to the saddle of the traveler. The 

 taste of such cakes is rather like stale biscuits. On 



3 Edward Palmer, "Food Products of the North American 

 Indians," Ann. Kept. U. S. Dcpt. Agriculture, 1870. 



11 



Biscuit-Root 

 ( Peucedanum 8p.) 



