15 



2.— CANNA EDULIS. 

 Nat. Oed. — Marantacex. 



The Starch of this plant is very nearly- 

 allied, in its general characters, to that of Canna 

 Indica ; it is quite as large, if not rather larger, 

 than the latter, but the concentric markings are 

 more delicate and regular. The differences are 

 quite sufl&cieut to render their discrimination, 

 under the microscope, comparatively easy. 



It is known in commerce as " Tous le mois," 

 and is extensively used in this and other countries 

 as an Arrowroot. The commercial article is 

 possibly obtained from other species of Canna 

 besides Canna edulis. The Starch is obtained 

 by crushing the rhizome and tubers, mixing with 

 water, and straining out the fibrous matter, it is 

 then washed by agitation and subsidence, and 

 subsequently dried. 



A specimen placed in my hands some years 

 ago, labelled Australian Arrowroot, and imported 

 from Brisbane, consisted entirely of this Starch. 



