STARCH AND SUGAR. 277 



belonging to the Banana family (Seitamineai). They are 

 extensively cultivated in India for the rhizomes, from 

 ■which the starch is obtained. The grains are very large, 

 elliptical, and flat; their width is about two-thirds their 

 length. The layers are remarkably plain. 



253. Manihot utilissima, of the Spurge family (JEuphorhi- 

 acece), a woody-stemmed plant of Tropical America, is 

 cultivated in many tropical lands for its large, fleshy, 

 parsnip-like roots. These are peeled, carefully washed, 

 then ground. From this reduced mass the starch is 

 washed out, which is sometimes called Brazilian Arrow- 

 root. The dried, ground mass is Cassava, also highly 

 prized as food. The starch grains are generally double, 

 or consist of two to eight parts. Tapioca is made by 

 moistening the starch, granulating it by means of sieves, 

 and heating it on metal plates. These three forms of 

 food are extensively used, and considered very nutritious. 

 The root in its raw state is poisonous. 



254. The Sago Palms, Sagus Rumphii and S. Icevis, grow 

 in the East — in Siam, the Indian Archipelago, etc. They 

 attain a height of thirty to fifty feet. There is a soft white 

 pith which is removed after splitting the stems. This is 

 reduced mechanically, placed in water, washed repeatedly, 

 and strained with sieves, by which means a pure pulpy 

 paste is obtained. It is granulated with sieves, and the 

 grains are rounded in rotating drums. They are then 

 heated by hot steam or otherwise, which partially converts 

 the starch grains into paste. 



255. Sugar- Cane (Saocharum offidnarum) is a native 

 of Asia, but now cultivated in all warm regions of the 

 world. It belongs to the Grass family (GraminecB), and in 

 size and appearance is much like Indian Corn. Its height 



