CHAP. I. CULINARY VEGETABLES. 125 



with water, in which they are allowed to remain six hours, when 

 the outer bark will be easily removed by a pressure of the hand. 

 The next process is to grate the roots, and then press out the milky 

 juice, which is poured into a flat tub. This is now suffered to rest 

 for eight hours, when all the flour will subside to the bottom. The 

 water is then poured off, and the meal laid upon wicker-frames to 

 dry in the sun for two or three hours. The flour is then placed 

 upon hot plates, and well-stirred to prevent it burning. 



" The heat will cause the amylaceous substance to coagulate into 

 small irregular lumps of a transparent and gelatiniform colour. The 

 Tapioca is then ready for use. 



" This is the best mode of preparing Tapioca, as customary at the 

 Mauritius." 



CUCUKBITACE^E. 

 Momordica Charantia, var. muricata. 

 Kurela. 



A Gonrd of about the size and form of a hen's egg, pointed 

 at the ends and covered with little blunt tubercles ; of intensely 

 bitter taste. Much consumed by the natives ; and agreeable 

 also to Europeans occasionally, as an ingredient to flavour their 

 curries by way of variety. 



. The late General F. Jenkins informed me of two varieties 

 they have in cultivation at Patna : 



1. Jethuya: a plant growing in the heat of spring and dying with 

 the first Rains. 



2. Bard masiya : which lasts throughout the year. 



The seed is, however, commonly sown at the beginning of the 

 Eains, and the Gourd is in use in the Cold season, when the plant 

 has rather a pretty appearance, trailing upon the ground, with 

 its small foliage, bright yellow flowers, and curious fruits. 



Luffa acutangula. 

 Jhinga Torooee. 



A cylindrical, somewhat club-formed Gourd, about ten inches 

 or a foot long, with sharp ribbed projections from end to end. 

 Dr. Koxburgh says, " Peeled, boiled, and dressed with butter, 

 pepper, and salt, it is little inferior to Green Peas." 



I am afraid many would be disappointed who put reliance 



