sturtevant's notes on edible plants 363 



M. ciystallinum Linn, ice plant. 



Cape of Good Hope. The ice plant was introduced into Europe in 1727.' It is 

 advertised in American seed lists ^ of 1 881 as a desirable vegetable for boiling like spinach, 

 or for garnishing. Vilmorin ' says the thickness and slightly acid flavor of the fleshy 

 parts of the leaves have caused it to be used as a fresh table vegetable for stumner use 

 in warm, dry countries. It is, however, he adds, not without merit as an ornamental 

 plant. Parry * found this species growing in large masses in southern California. 



M. edule Linn, hottentot fig. 



Cape of Good Hope. The mucilaginous capsules, says Captain Carmichael, are the 

 chief material of an agreeable preserve. Figuier ^ says the leaves are pickled as a sub- 

 stitute for the pickled cucumber, and Henfrey says the foliage is eaten at the Cape. 



M. forskahlei Hochst. 



North Africa. The capsules are soaked and dried by the Bedouins, and the seeds 

 separated for making bread, which, however, is not eaten by other Arabs. 



M. pugionifonne Linn. 



South Africa. Its leaves form a good substitute for spinach.* 



M. tortuosum Linn. 



South Africa. This species possesses narcotic properties and is chewed by the Hot- 

 tentots for the purpose of producing intoxication.' 



Mesua ferrea Linn. Guttiferae. ironwood. 



Java and East Indies. The fruit is reddish and wrinkled when ripe, with a rind like 

 that of the chestnut. It resembles a chestnut in size, shape, substance and taste.* 



Metroxylon laeve Mart. Palmae. spineless sago palm. 



East Indies. This species furnishes a large part of the sago which is exported to 

 Europe. " 



M. rumphii Mart, prickly sago palm. 



East Indies. This palm furnishes, saj^ Seemann," the best sago of the East Indies. 



M. sagu Rottb. sago palm. 



Sumatra and Malacca. The plant is employed in the preparation of sago for food. 



' Noisette Man. Jard. 538. 1829. 

 Thorburn Ca/. 1881. 

 'Vilmorin Keg. Cord. 275. 1885. 

 Parry Bol. U. S. Mex. Bound. Sun. 2: 16. 1859. 

 'Figuier Veg. World 4:i8. 1867. 

 Smith, A. Treas. Bot. 2:738. 1870. 

 ' Ibid. 



Drury, H. Useful Pis. Ind. 291 . 1873. 

 Smith, A. Treas. Bot. 2:1006. 1870. 

 "Seemann, B. Pop. Hist. Palms 263. 1856. 

 " Ibid. 



