VAPJ( )rS I'( )()D -PLAXTS 



105 



Fig. lia. — Olive [(JU.u utroijiva, UUvu Funiilj', Oliacew). A. flowering 

 branch. B, flower. C. eoroUa and .stamens. fJ, cabx and pistil, cut 

 vertically. E, fruit. P\ same with the pulp cut through to show the 

 "stone" within. G, seed, cut vertically between the seed-lea^'es. 

 H, same, cut ^■e^ticall\" across the seed-leaves. (Knoblauch.) — An 

 evergreen tree or shrub, with irrayish-green leaves, cream-colored, 

 flagrant flcjwers, tmd ].mrplish fruit. 



Thi.s is e.s.seiitially a.s follows. The roots are first reduced to a 

 pulp, and then sul)jected to pressure, which forces out the 

 milky sap together with a large quantity of .starch. After 

 standing a while, tlie starch settles from this poisonous 

 fluid. The latter is then p^oured off', and the starch, spread 

 upon ii'on ]")lates, is lieatcd until all A'estige of poison has 

 disapi)eared, and the starcli-grains becoming somewhat 

 gummy adhere togetlicr into small iri'cguUu' masses wliich 

 constitute tlie tajjioca of commerce. 



A seaweed Icnown as carrageen or "Iiisli moss" (Fig. IIS), 

 found along tin.' North Atlantic coast on Ijotli sides of the 



