ESCULENT ROOTS. 151 



BIND-WEED, Convolvulus, C. 5. O. 1. sp. 34-185. P. ft. 2-6 An 

 extensive genus of beauty and usefulness. The C. abatatas is well 

 known as an edible root (the sweet potato before mentioned). The 

 stems are generally herbaceous and trailing. It is a native of Amer- 

 ica and the East Indies. It was sold as a delicacy when exported to 

 Europe. It is cultivated in the tropical climates like the potato. The 

 young leaves, as well as the tubers, are eaten boiled. Species are 

 known as C. major and C. minor, and some are a common pot-herb in 

 the East Indies. C. arvensis is a worm-like plant, difficult to eradicate 

 in gardens, and is a certain criterion of a dry soil. C. Seammonia af- 

 fords the well known gum resin of that name. 



CENOTHERA, C. 8. O. 1. Onograriae. sp. 32-41. Dh. 1-4 ft. 

 The roots of the O. biennis are eaten after meals, as olives are, to 

 induce wine-drinking. It is an ornamental genus, and is called the 

 night primrose, from its flowers opening between 6 and 7 o'clock in 

 the evening. The roots are eaten in the spring in some places. The 

 herbaceous kinds of this country are among the most beautiful of 

 plants. 



TACCA. Pinnatifida, C. 6. 0.1. Arodideae sp. 1 Eh. ft. 2. 

 Has a large sized, red root which, in its natural state is extremely 

 acrid and bitter, but these qualities are modified by culture. The raw- 

 root being rasped and washed frequently in cold water, a white meal 

 like starch falls to the bottom. This is again washed two or three 

 times till no acrimonious taste is perceived in the water ; and all the 

 infusions are carefully thrown away as poisonous. This meal is made 

 into a nourishing bread by many of the Pacific islanders. It is also 

 used in the east and preferred to the Saco bread. It is safely applied 

 to deep wounds. The leaf stalks, boiled a long time are also used, 

 as well as the roots, for food in China. It is exported and sold as 

 arrow root," as prepared at the Missionary stations in the S. Sea 

 islands. Cakes made of the meal of the tubers are the tacca yony, a 

 diet of China, Cochin China, &c. 



This order of plants is imperfectly known. The roots become 

 larger and milder by cultivation. They are analogous to the arrow- 

 root. The fecular or starch is highly nutritious. At Tahita, Otaheita, 

 they are scraped by strings made of the cocoa-nut tree, and the pulp 

 being washed, is made into balls and dried in the sun and then re- 

 duced to powder. Nutall has given it the name Tacca oceanica. 



CULADIUM. C. 21. O. 7. Aroidese, 1 sp. 20 ft. Ds. 16-37. A 

 species is cultivated in the W. Indies for the leaves which are boiled 

 and eaten. It is supposed to be a species ef the arum family, the 

 most universally cultivated. It is found in America, both the Indies, 

 the S. Sea Islands, &c. The root is very acrid, but roasted in ashes, 

 it becomes well tasted. The leaves are used instead of plates and 

 dishes 2 to 8 ft. Eh. 



