4S2 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



matory diseases, dysuria, &c.; and poultices of it are 

 often used, and form an excellent substitute for lin- 

 seed meal. Starch is an important product of rice, and 

 sometimes has a percentage of as much as 85 per 

 cent. In Japan a spirit known under the name of 

 "Sake "is very extensively distilled from this grain, 

 and forms an important article of commerce of that 

 country. — ' Pharmaceutical Journal,' vol. xi., 1852, 

 p. 400 ; ' The Useful Plants of India,' Drury, p. 

 321, &c. 



Distribution : Generally cultivated in West Tropical 

 Afrcia. 



Imperata artmdijiacea, Cyrill. — Small grass much 

 used by the Bengalese for thatching. The Telingas 

 use it in their marriage ceremonies. As a fodder 

 plant it is not of much use, as cattle refuse it, except 

 when it is quite young and when none other can be 

 obtained. — ' Economic Products of India,' Watt, part 

 vi.. No. 411. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



Sugar-cane {Saccharum officinarum, L.). — A very- 

 large perennial herb cultivated in all suitable countries 

 throughout the world, and especially in the West 

 Indies, Mauritius, British Guiana, &c. There are many 

 varieties recognised by cultivators, depending upon 

 the thickness, texture, and colour of the stem. Sugar 

 is the expressed juice of the stem, which by boiling 

 and other processes becomes crystallised, and is called 



