STURTEV ant's NOTES ON EDIBLE PLANTS 62 i 



the name of wild oats, it is used almost exclusively during the summer as green fodder 

 for cows and horses. The one objection to its culture seems to come from the seed drop- 

 ping so readily when ripe. The northern Indians, of the lakes and rivers between the 

 Mississippi and Lake Superior, gather the seed by pushing the canoe amongst the stems 

 and shaking the heads over the boat. An acre of wild rice is supposed to be equal to an 

 acre of wheat in the nutrim.ent afforded. The seeds are black, smooth, narrow, cylindrical, 

 about half an inch long, white and farinaceous when cooked and are very palatable. 



This is.^e kaw-sun of China and is found in the lakes of Anam, Manchuria, China 

 and Japan. From Dr. Hance,' we know that the solid base of the stem forms a very 

 choice vegetable largely used in China, where it is cultivated. 



Zizyphus agrestis Roem. & Schult. Rhamneae. 



China and Cochin China. The globose, red drupe is eatable.* 



Z. joazeiro Mart. 



Brazil. This plant is recommended as yielding fruit in arid regions.* 



Z. jujuba Lam. Chinese date, jujube. 



East Indies and Malay; cultivated generally in the East Indies. More than 1200 

 years ago this plant was introduced into China by way of Persia * and now yields an 

 excellent dessert fruit for the Chinese, who recognize many varieties, differing in shape, 

 color and size of the fruits. Those of one variety are called Chinese date. In India, the 

 fruit is more or less globose in the wild and common sorts and is ovoid or oblong in the 

 ciiltivated and improved plant. The pulp is mealy, sweetish, with a pleasant taste, and, 

 in South India, an oil is extracted from the kernel.' Wallich * describes a variety which 

 produces a fruit of a long form, about the size of an egg, and which is of excellent quality. 

 A variety with a small, sour berry is a great favorite with the Burmese.' In Abyssinia, 

 its fruits are made into a substance like dry cheese.' In Mauritius, six varieties are 

 described, of these fovu" are pleasant tasting and two not good.' 



Z. lotus Lam. African date palm, jew thorn, lotus. 



Mediterranean region. The roundish, purplish fruit has the appearance of olives 

 and a sweet taste resembling figs or dal-es." According to Theophrastus, the lotos was 

 so common in Zerbi, the island of the Lotophagi, that a Roman army on its way to Car- 

 thage was nourished several days on its fruit. Homer also m.entions this attractive fruit, 

 from which Ulysses succeeded, only by violence, in turning away his companions. It 



' Hance, Dr. Card. Chron. 633. 1872. 



Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 2:27. 1832. 



'Mueller,?. Sel. Pis. 527. 1891. 



* Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 222. 1879. 



Brandis, D. Forest Fl. 88. 1874. 



Ainslie, W. Mat. Med. Ind. 2:<)5. 1826. 



' Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 222. 1879. 



' Grant Treas. Bot. 2: 1308. 1876. 



' Hooker, W. J. Journ. Bot. 1:320. 1834. 



" Unger, F. U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt. 343. 1859. 



