MANNA OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 265 



Europe. It contains a sweet juice, which is obtained by making 

 incisions in the stem. The juice hardens, and forms the j^rincipal 

 kind of Manna sold by druggists for domestic use ; the principal 

 quantity comes from Sicily and Calabria. Another Ivind of 

 Manna is produced by Eucalyptus mannifera, a lofty tree of the 

 Myrtle family (Myrtacese), native of New South Wales, also by 

 a species of Oak (see Willow). A kind of Manna is produced, 

 by the Larch tree {Larix europcea), known as Manna of BriauQon. 



Manna Croup. {See Manna Grass.) 



Manna Grass (Glyceria fiuitans), a spreading water-grass 

 covering the surface of water in ditches, pools, ponds, etc., in 

 this country, and throughout Europe. It is a sweet grass ; cattle 

 are fond of it, and wade into the water to obtain it. In Hol- 

 land, and Poland the seeds are used as food, and in Germany are 

 used for making the article called Manna Croup. 



Manna of Sinai is produced by two plants. Tamarix 

 mannifera, a small tree or much-branched shrub similar to T, 

 gallica, common on the coasts of this country, Erance, and 

 Southern Europe generally. It is native of the desert countries 

 of Western Asia. At certain seasons of the year the stems are 

 punctured by a small insect ; from these punctures a honey-like 

 liquid exudes, which hardens on the stems, and is collected by 

 the Bedouin Arabs of the present day, and is preserved like 

 honey as a delicacy. Another kind of Manna is produced by 

 Hedysarum Alhar/i, by modern botanists called Alliagi ma2i7vrum, 

 a low scrubby spiny bush of the Bean family (Leguminos?e), 

 with small simple leaves. A plant common in the deserts of 

 Syria, Persia, Bokhara, and Hindostan. In some places it is 

 called Camel Thorn. During the heat of the day a sweet 

 gummy substance exudes from the leaves and stems ; this 

 hardens, and is collected by the Bedouin Arabs, and in Bokhara 

 to such an extent as to form a substitute for sugar, for which it 

 is used as well as for sweetmeats and confectionery. Some 

 writers endeavour to show that this and the preceding furnished 

 the Manna of the Israelites, but the quantity obtained even over 

 an extensive district is small, and in other points it does not 



