-6o sturtevant's notes on edible plants 



1682, under the name of mandois, describes a vegetable of Congo which grows " three or 

 four together like vetches but underground and are about the bigness of an ordinary 

 olive. From these milk is extracted like to that drawn from almonds." This may be 

 the peanut. In China, especially in Kwangtung, peanuts are grown in large quantities 

 and their consiunption by the people is very great. The peanut was included among 

 garden plants by McMahon, 1806; Burr, 1863, describes three varieties; and Jefferson 

 speaks of its culture in Virginia in 1781. Its culture was introduced into France in 1802,' 

 and the peanut was described among pot-herbs by Noisette,^ 1829. 



Aralia cordata Thunb. Araliaceae. udo. 



Japan. The young shoots of this species provide an excellent culinary vegetable.' 

 They are used in soups in Japan.^ According to Siebold,' this plant is universally cul- 

 tivated in Japan, in fields and gardens. It is valued for its root which is eaten like scor- 

 zonera, but the young stalks are likewise a deUcious vegetable.' 



A. quinquefolia Decne & Planch, ginseng. 



North America. The root is collected in large quantities in the hilly regions of Ohio, 

 western Virginia, Minnesota and other parts of eastern America for export to China where 

 it is valued as a medicine. Some persons in this country are in the habit of chewing the 

 root, having acquired a relish for its taste, and it is chiefly to supply the wants of these 

 that it is kept in the shops.' 



Araucaria bidwillii Hook. Coniferae. bunya-bunya. 



Australia; the bunya-bunya of the natives. The cones fxomish an edible seed which 

 is roasted. Each tribe of the natives has its own set of trees and each family its own 

 allotment among them. These are handed down from generation to generation with the 

 greatest exactness and are believed to be the only hereditary personal property possessed 

 by the aborigines. 



A. brasiliana A. Rich. Brazilian pine. 



Brazil. The seeds are very large and are eatable.* They are sold as an article of 

 food in the streets of Rio de Janeiro. 



A. imbricata Pav. Chilian pine, monkey puzzle. 



Southern Chili. The seeds are eaten by the Indians, either fresh, boUed or roasted, 

 and from them is distilled a spirituous liquor.' Eighteen good-sized trees will yield enough 

 for a man's sustenance all the year round.'* 



> Bon Jard. 685. 1882. 



' Noisette Man. Jard. 329. 1829. 



Mueller, F. Sel. Pis. 45. 1891. 



Bird Unheal. Tracks Jap. 1:2^. 1 88 1. 



Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 4x8.- 1879. {A. edulis) 



Hanbury, D. Set. Papers 261. 1876. 



' U. S. Disp. 636. 1865. (Panax quinquefolium) 



' Gordon, G. Pinelum ij. 1875. 



Gordon, G. Pinetum 41. 1875. 



"> Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 812. 1879. 



