156 



CASE The next compartment is chiefly devoted to illustrations 

 82. of the uses of the Potato, our most important esculent. 



No. 380. Plant of Potato, showing the tubers to be an 

 altered (thickened) condition of subterranean stems. It is 

 a native of Chili, and is represented by nearly allied 

 forms in the South- Western States of America. The 

 potato was brought first to Great Britain in 1563. It w^as 

 not, however, till late in the 18th century that it became 

 popular. In the wild state the tubers are very small, 

 seldom exceeding the size of a walnut. Specimens of 

 these are shown in the second compartment. Observe 

 British Gum or Dextrine, an altered product of potato 

 starch, used for postage stamps ; STARCH or English 

 arrowroot, syrup and sugar from potatoes ; dried com- 

 pressed potatoes. 



The potato is very liable, especially in hot and damp 

 seasons, to attacks of disease caused by a fungus known 

 as Phytophtliora infestans, De Bary. A drawing is ex- 

 hibited showing the progress of the disease in a potato 

 leaf. Note also specimens and description of Colorado 

 Potato Beetle {Doryphora Decemlineata^ Say.), a 

 potato pest of North America. 



Observe fruits of TREE TOMATO {Gyphomandra hetacea^ 

 Sendt.), a shrub or small tree, native of Peru, cultivated 

 in the South of Europe, West Indies, and other warm 

 countries. When ripe the fruit is eaten for dessert and 

 is also made into a preserve. 



Also fruits of Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana, 

 L.), a native of Tropical America and cultivated in India 

 and other parts for the fruits which are eaten raw or 

 made into a preserve. 



No. 381. Capsicums and Chillies, the acrid biting 

 fruits of Capsicum annuum, L., and C. frutescens, L., 

 respectively, cultivated in all hot countries for use as a 

 condiment. 



Cayenne Pepper consists of the pulverised rind or 

 skin and is chiefly prepared from the smaller fruits known 

 as Bird-peppers or Chillies. The latter are regularly 

 imported into this country, chiefly from Zanzibar and 

 Sierra Leone for medicinal purposes, and for use as a 

 condiment. 



