FOOD PEODUOTS. 



49 



for thickening soups, and are increasing in favour with us. 

 Lentils, when deprived of 

 their outer husk, are easily 

 digested, and form an im- 

 portant part in the composi- 

 tion of the well-known foods 

 so much advertised as " Er- 

 valenta" and "Kevalenta." 



As an illustration of a 

 neglected food product which 

 might be made available, or 

 at least largely developed, in 

 this country, we may refer to 

 a notice of chestnut flour in 

 the " Kew Report " for 1879, 

 where the fact is stated that 

 the Chestnut [Gastanea 

 sativa) is an important article 

 of subsistence in the Apen- 

 nines, the chestnuts being 

 carefully dried and ground 

 cakes. The flour having been analysed 

 Church, he gave the following results : — 



Okyza sativa. 



into flour 



and made into 

 by Professor 



Moisture 



Oil or fat 



Proteids 



Starch 



Dextrin and soluble starch. 



Sugar 



Cellulose, etc. 



Ash - - - - 



14-0 

 2-0 



8-6 



29-2 



22 '9 



17-5 



3-3 



2-6 



100-0 



Professor Church further expressed an opinion "that 

 chestnut flour ought to be of easy digestibility, and a 



