252 Cycads. 



exuded by the cylindrical half-buried stem of this plant. Gum 

 is also exuded by the fruit, but it is darker and more trans- 

 parent than that obtained from the stem. 



In the Bahamas, the natives prepare a kind of starch from 

 the trunk of Zamia tenuis, Willd., which they use as arrowroot, 

 and for which, being very pure, it is a good substitute. In 

 many of the West Indian Islands another species of the same 

 genus, Z. furfur acca, Ait., furnishes a similar article of food. 

 Dion edule, L., is a native of Mexico, and an abundant supply of 

 starch is there obtained from its seeds, and forms by no means 

 an unimportant article of food. The nuts of this plant are 

 much larger than those either of Cycas or Zamia, and approach 

 nearer to those of the Australian genus, Macrozamia, the 

 ordinaiy size of them being about that of a common chesnut, 

 though occasionally seen much larger. 



It will be seen that starch, or sago, is produced by most of 

 the plants belonging to this order, and may be prepared either 

 from the trunk or the seeds. This, naturally enough, led to the 

 belief, some years ago, when the true source whence our com- 

 mercial sago was obtained was yet unknown, that it was 

 furnished by these plants. They were then looked upon as 

 palms, and the East Indian species acknowledged without 

 doubt as furnishing the source whence our supplies were 

 obtained ; more recent researches, however, prove that the sago 

 so largely imported into this country is obtained from a truo 

 palm. 



We havo thus attempted to describe the peculiarities, value, 

 and uses of one of the most singular natural orders in tho 

 whole vegetable kingdom. Their interest is not confined to 

 one point, but is manifold, whether as to their singular habits, 

 their geological history, or their present economic uses. The 

 cycads therefore deserve a greater claim upon our attention 

 than has been hitherto given to them. 



