AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 261 



[From Chambers' Edinburgh Journal.] 

 African Fundi. 



Prom Henry Cotheal, Esq., seeds, and plants grown to near six 

 feet in height, and not yet showing their seed. 



In November, 1855, the Linns&an society of London received 

 this grain from R. Clarke, Esq., assistant surgeon to the Colony of 

 Sierra Leone. It is cultivated near Kissy village and elsewhere — 

 it is highly prized, it is called hungry rice — it is like millet in 

 some respects. It is white, semi-transparent, cardiform ; is inclosed 

 in a delicate fawn colored husk or membrane, from which it is 

 very easily separated. It is highly glutinous, has a delicate flavor 

 between that of rice and kiln dried oats. It thrives in light soils 

 and in rocky situations. It is pounded before cooking. Manure 

 is said to injure its growth. Sown in May or June, it ripens in 

 September. When gathered, if left in rain, the grain is apt to 

 agglutinate to its coverings. 



The Club is much pleased to acknowledge the receipt of a box 

 of valuable seeds from China and East Indies, presented by an 

 officer of the United States Navy, to whom we feel deeply indebted 

 for their patriotic and intelligent coui-se in reference to the great 

 interests of our country. 



This collection of seeds was made by Richard T. Allison, Esq., 

 Purser of the United States frigate Macedonian, in her recent 

 cruise in the Eastern seas. 



Among these seeds is a black heavy bean which is extensively 

 used in China to procure a valuable oil for culinary, illuminating, 

 and probably lubricating purposes. Such a bean is very valuable, 

 as the crop per acre is vastly greater than flax seed, or any other 

 used by us. 



U. S. Ship Macedonian, Boston. 

 Sir : — Feeling great interest in all that concerns agriculture, 

 and having read with great pleasure several volumes of the 

 " transactions " published by your admirable institution, I take 

 the liberty of sending you, per Messrs Adams & Co., a few seeds 

 which I thought worth collecting during the cruise of this ship 

 in the East Indies, China, and Japan. By so doing I feel that I 



[Am. Inst.] 18 



