116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. VIII. 
or, better still, in salt water, for 8 to 4 days, or in a solution of sulphate of iron 
or lime water renders them more durable. Salt water is said to make them proof 
against attacks of insects (Bostrichi and their larvee). i 
This bamboo and several other species flower in about 30 to 52 years ; the culti- 
vated, I believe, at shorter periods. When such an occurrence takes place, the 
whole tract, extending over many miles, is in full flower. It sometimes happens, 
however, that a few bamboos of a cluster flower in each year, when the flowermg 
goes on every succeeding year with the other bamboos of the cluster. Both in 
this species and in others the flowering is followed by the death of the stems, 
so that, after seasons of general flowering, a whole district presents for some time 
the spectacle of a large forest of dried up clumps (Bedd.). The product of the 
flowering of the bamboos is a fruit called by the Indians rice or seed, which is 
consumed by the poorer classes in lieu of common rice or other grain, 
A very palatable bread is said to be made of the flour of the bamboo seed, 
although its colour is somewhat dark. Diarrhoea and dysentery and even 
fever are caused by the use of this diet. Indians believe that fever is severer 
in those years in which the general flowering takes place. In the scarcity 
of 1812 in Orissa, of 1864 in Kanara, and of 1866 in Malda, this rice formed 
the principal article of food of the poor population of those districts ; hence, 
perhaps, the belief entertained by some Government officials that the bamboo 
only flowers in seasons of general scarcity. General Munro says that the rice of 
B. arundinacea furnished in 1864 food for 50,000 persons in Kanara. In the 
hollow of this and of some other bamboos there is a silicious substance named 
Tabashir. This is at first in a rather liquid state, but in time becomes solid, 
Tt is employed by the hakeems in the treatment of paralytical affections and as 
a stimulant and aphrodisiac. The ashes of all bamboos are rich in silica, 
Composition of bamboo grain (husked)— 
In 100 parts, Tn Ib. 
Water (tence spswocaaooadsccnagenaonna Ji) 1 oz. 332 qrs. 
/ANTSVWATIITOY ES) Gag concdacuscoocseondoon LIES Il. Bets) 
Starch PCertsseees Godden sGe0eeose0sg200 13°7 11 99 346 99 
OU eee career tacks eclesaeeeceewe 06 (0) 99 42 99 
ION ORS Gogadnobeansdedh diepeciiosiocsansse tr nkts O19 ae 
Ash eocoe # peerceeocces @evcce Gee C008 Oe 12 0 9 64 9 
The nutrient ratio is here 1 to 6°4, and the nutrient value 87. The food value 
of bamboo grain, after the removal of the husk, is high ; its defects are due 
to the low proportion of oil and of mineral matter. Of course, it cannot be 
looked upon as a staple cereal, but as an occasional substitute for a deficient 
rice or millet crop it has several times proved most serviceable, ‘The grain 
of other kinds of bamboo is, in all probability, similar in composition to 
that of B. arundinacea. 
The bamboo described under the name of B. spinosa by Roxb. FI. 
Ind, 11; Munro. Monograph 104; Bedd. Fi. Syly. 231, appears to be a 
