42 



black stem is denuded of leaves, the plants look very like black men hold- 

 ing spears. The leaves afford good fodder for cattle, and the tender white 

 center is used as a vegetable. A fragrant resin, called acaroid resin, is ob- 

 tained from it. 



427. Xlmenia Americana.— A small tree, found in many warm regions: among 



others in southern Florida. In Brazil it is called the Native Plum on 

 account of its small yellow fruits, which have a subacid and somewhat 

 astringent aromatic taste. The wood is odoriferous and is used in the West 

 Indies as a substitute for sandalwood. 



428. Yucca aloefolia. — The yucca leaves afford a good fiber, and some southern 



species are known as bear's grass. The root stems also furnish a starchy 

 matter, which has been rendered useful in the manufacture of starch. 



429. Zamia furfuracea. — This plant belongs to the order Cycadeacece, and is 



grown to some extent for the starchy matter contained in the stem, which 

 is collected and used as arrowroot; but it is not the true arrowroot, that 

 being produced by a species of Maranta. 



430. Zamia integrifolia. — The coontie plant of Florida. The large succulent 



roots afford a quantity of arrowroot, said to be equal to the best of that 

 from Bermuda. The fruit has a coating of an orange-colored pulp, which 

 is said to form a rich edible food. It was from the roots of this plant that 

 the Seminoles of Florida obtained their ivhite meal. 



431. Zingiber officinale. — This plant is cultivated in most warm countries for 



the sake of its rhizomes, which furnish the spice called ginger . It is pre- 

 pared by digging up the roots when a year old, scraping them, and drying 

 them in the sun. Ginger, when broken across, shows a number of little 

 fibers embedded in floury tissue. Its hot pungent taste is due to a volatile 

 oil. It also contains starch and yellow coloring matter. Ginger is used 

 for various medicinal purposes, and in many ways as a condiment, and in 

 the preparation of cordials and so-called teas. 



