178 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



cuttings from the ligneous part of the stem. The soil destined 

 for Cassava must not be wet. In warm countries the tubers 

 are available in about eight months, though they still continue 

 to grow afterwards. The growth of the plant upwards 

 is checked by breaking off the buds. The Bitter Cassava 

 is the more productive of the two. The yellowish tubers 

 attain sometimes a weight of 30 Ibs. They do not become 

 soft by boiling like Aipi. 



Maoutia Puya, Weddell. 



India, on mountains up to 4,000 feet. It is taller than 

 Boehmeria nivea, and furnishes a similar fibre. This shrub 

 belongs to a tribe of the Nettle order, not possessing burning 

 acridity. None of the true Nettles, such as the Girardinias, 

 nor allied stinging plants have been recommended in this 

 index, although from some an exquisite fibre is derived, as the 

 writer wishes to guard against the introduction of any burning 

 species, which possibly might disseminate itself in a mischievous 

 manner, and then probably could not again be suppressed. 



Maranta arundinacea, Linn& 



The true Arrowroot Plant. West India, Florida, Mexico to 

 Brazil. The plant is introduced into this list not without 

 hesitation, as it seems to require a tropical clime to attain 

 perfection. It furnishes most of the West Indian arrowroot, 

 although other species^ such as M. nobilis, M. Allouya, M. 

 ramosissima, are also cultivated for a similar starch of their 

 tubers. Porcher observes that it still flourishes as far north 

 as Florida, producing even in the pine-lands from 200 to 300 

 bushels of tubers to the acre. M. Indica, Tuss., is merely a 

 variety. 



Marlea Vitiensis, Bentham. 



New South Wales and Queensland. A middle-sized tree, 

 generally with a gouty trunk ; wood bright yellow with fine 

 undulating rings, black towards the centre. Fruit edible 

 (P. O'Shanesy). 



Marliera glomerata, Bentham. (RnlacMa glomerata, Berg.) 



The Cambuca of sub-tropical Brazil. The fruits attain the 

 size of apricots, and are much used for food (Dr. Rosenthal). 



Marliera tomentosa, Cambessedes. 



Extra-tropical Brazil. The Guaparanga. The sweet berries 

 of this tall shrub are of the size of cherries. 



