the Valley of Columbia river and China. 63 



use in eight or ten months from the time of planting. To 

 prepare ihem for food, it is necessary that they slioiild be 

 roasted, when they are a substitute for bread; or they are 

 made into poi^ by pulverizing them into a paste. 



IVappatoo — is a bulbous root, the common sagitti folia, or 

 arrowhead, and is found only in the valley of the Columbia 

 river, below the Cascades, It becomes soft by roasting, and 

 is a palatable and nourishing food. It is much used by the 

 Indians, and is an article of trade. It grows in shallow lakes 

 and marshes which are covered with water. The Indians 

 search for it with their feet, and extricating the roots from the 

 mud with their toes, they rise to the surface of the water. 



Cammas — is a truncated root, and is of great importance 

 to the Indians. It grows in moist rich land, in the form of 

 an onion. It is roasted, pounded, and made into loaves, like 

 bread, and has a liquorice taste. 



Coivish, or Biscuit root, grows in dry land, and is generally 

 of the size of a walnut, but often larger. It tastes like the 

 sweet potato, and is prepared for food in the same manner as 

 the cammas, and is a tolerable substitute for bread. 



Bitter Root, or Racine amere, grows in dry land, and is 

 fusiform, like a carrot. Although not very pleasant to the 

 taste, it is considered by the Indians and hunters as very con- 

 ducive to health. 



Onion. — Two kinds, one of which is characterized for its 

 beautiful red flower, and often grows on volcanic scoriae, 

 where no other vegetable is seen. 



HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



Red Clover. — A species different from that cultivated in 

 our fields, but not less fragrant and beautiful. 



Broom Corn is found on the bottom lands, but it is not 

 stated whether it is a different species from that which we 

 cultivate. 



Wild Grain, resembling barley or rye. 



Wild Flax. — It resembles, in all respects, that which we 

 cultivate, except that it is a perennial plant. The Indians use 

 it for making fishing nets. It is cut like grass, for tiie roots 

 are large, and descend deep into the earth. 



Jl Jlowering Vine. — Among the plants near the mouth of 

 the Columbia river, Washington Irving describes a flowering 

 vine, in Iiis Astoria, which he considered deserving of par- 



