150 VARIOUS EDIBLE ROOTS. 



Cassava, &c., foreign vegetable products, we are provided with one 

 no less valuable, and one meriting general attention and cultivation. 



CYPERUS, C. 3. O. 1. Cyperacese, sp. 22-250. P. ft. J_l. The 

 roots of some species are eatable, and considered eminently aphrodisia- 

 cal, hence the name from Venus. They are marsh sedgy plants. The 

 root of C. longus is warm, bitter and agreeably aromatic. Another 

 species produces pea-like tubercles, which, when boiled, are eaten in 

 parts of France and Spain, tasting like chesnuts. 



CAMPUNULA, C. 5. O. 1. sp. 75-240. Dh. P. ft. $-4. C. specu- 

 lum, or Venus' looking-glass, a showy genus, and the roots of some 

 species are eaten, and it is thought those of all may be. The long, 

 thick roots abound with a milky juice. C. rapunculus is much culti- 

 vated in France and Italy for the roots, which, being boiled tender, 

 are eaten hot or cold with vinegar and pepper. Other species may be 

 cultivated for the same purpose, and for their flowers, which are much 

 admired. 



PSORALEA, C. 17. O. 4. Leguminosese, sp. 28-62 Es. ft. 2-6. The 

 species are covered with little tubercles. They are chiefly low shrubs, 

 and some are ornamental and of easy culture. P. esculenta is the In- 

 dian bread root of America, and is said to be cultivated in Missouri 

 and the west, where it is used like potatoes. 



WILD-LIQUORICE, abuis, C. 17. O. 4. Leguminosese, sp. I. E. 

 ft. 12 from elegant. The roots are used in the W. Indies like those 

 of liquorice, and the seeds are strung as beads, both for ornament and 

 as rosaries. They are said to be deleterious, but are eaten in Egypt, 

 though the hardest of the pulse tribe. The common liquorice will be 

 described under the head of Medicinal Vegetables. 



DENTARIA, C. 15. Cruciferse, sp. 7-16, Tr. P. ft. 1-2. Plants 

 with showy flowers. The dried root is said to be used in this country 

 instead of mustard, under the name of pepper-root. 2 sp. N. A. 



EARTH-NUT, arachis, C. 17. O. 4. Leg. sp. 1-2. ft. 2., anciently 

 applied to a plant which had no stem nor leaves, but was all root ; it 

 is now applied to a plant, the fruit of which is borne under ground. 

 The specific name, hypogcea (below ground), is in allusion to this cu- 

 rious circumstance. As the pods grow they force themselves into the 

 earth, where they ripen their seeds ! It is cultivated in the southern 

 and northern climates. The seeds are said to be used as chocolate in 

 S. Carolina ; in the east as almonds ; and in China they furnish oil 

 used for lamps, and are a substitute for the oil of olives. It is raised 

 in hot-beds, and transplanted. It is common about Paris. 1. sp. 

 S. A. 



EARTH-NUT, bunium, E. 5. O. 1. sp. 2. P. Tr. ft. 2 growing 



in elevated situations. The roots of some species are dug up and eaten.. 

 They are sweet, farinacious, and nourishing. Swine are very fond of 

 them, and fatten very soon by feeding on them. 



