PROPERTIES OF ARROW-ROOT. 145 



and W. Indies. Its name is from the use made of it by the Indians in 

 healing the wounds made by poisoned arrows. It is also used as a 

 remedy for the stings of bees, the bites of insects, for burns, and for 

 poisons. There are several species. As imported, it is a kind of 

 starch, or hardened mucilage, obtained by pounding and blanching the 

 roots, and is a pleasant and valuable aliment for children and invalids. 

 When the roots are a year old, they are dug, washed, beaten to a pulp 

 in wooden mortars, washed, and the fibres removed. The milky liquid 

 is then passed through a seive and allowed to settle, when the water 

 is drawn off. The white starch is again washed, settled and dried on 

 a white cloth in the sun, and powdered, when it will keep for a long 

 time. No vegetable except the salep or orchis-root yields so much nu- 

 triment. It is often much adulterated with flour of potatoes. The 

 purest is the Jamaica or Bermuda. The potato starch answers as a 

 good substitute, prepared in the same way. 



It was found in the east on the shores of the rivers. The bulb is 

 oblong, with pendulous tubers. The fecula obtained from its tubers 

 is sold in the eastern markets. There are 2 kinds of fecula in com- 

 merce from the E. Indian root. Its fine white is distinguished from 

 that of America. Examined with the microscope, it consists of ovate 

 particles, not unlike the starch particles of the potato, with numerous 

 and fine rings. Fecula, like that of arrow root, is obtained from several 

 species of curcuma, and several other plants in various places. Its com- 

 position is carbon 44 and water 55. It is largely exported from the 

 W. Indies. About 2,500 cwt. are annually taken to England. It is 

 used at the table in the form of puddings. In irritations of the alimen- 

 tary canal, of the pulmonary organs, or urinary passages, it is valu- 

 able as an emolient and demulcent. It is given to infants and invalids 

 in water or milk with sugar, spices, or lemon juice. Wake Robin has 

 been used as a substitute. 



Carolla unequal, one inner segment in form of a lip ; stamens pe- 

 taloid, with half an anther; style-hooded; ovary 3-celled; fruit 1- 

 seeded ; stems branched ; leaves ovate, lanceolate ; peduncles 2- 

 flowered. 



SALEP, orchis mascula. Order 20 of Juss. This plant is much 

 cultivated in Asia for the root which, in Syria, Turkey, and Persia, 

 constitutes a large portion of the food of the inhabitants. There are 

 many species of this genus, from which salep is prepared ; that above 

 is however much preferred, and it is from this that the article of com- 

 merce is prepared. It comes from the Levant in small, hard and 

 yellowish white pieces. Still, the plant is found here and in Europe, 

 and though not of so fine a quality, it should be more cultivated and 

 improved ; for it is said to contain more nutriment, in proportion to 

 its size than any other vegetable root known. The root is composed 

 of two fleshy lobes ; and the stem is sent up from a lobe of a former 

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