392 DICTIOJSTAEY OF POPULAE KAMES STARCH 



China is dried and nsed in making soups. In 1855 several 

 square miles in the Bombay Presidency were covered with 

 iV. coUinum, The natives called it meat, and considered that 

 it fell from heaven. The spores are supposed to float in the air, 

 and alighting on congenial surfaces where the temperature and 

 moisture are favourable, spring suddenly into existence as the 

 perfect plant. iV". commune is also known by the name of 

 Fairies' Butter. 



Starch consists of organised, farina-like grains, contained in 

 various parts of many plants. It forms an important pait in all 

 farinaceous foods, as wheaten flour, potatoes, arrowroot, sago, 

 etc. It is, however, incapable of sustaining animal life when 

 separated from other constituents; but with the addition of 

 some nitrogenous substance, it is wholesome. Starch granules 

 when burst by the effects of heat are turned into gum, and 

 form the substance known as Dextrine or British gum, which is 

 used for dressing woven fabrics, for the backs of postage stamps, 

 and for envelopes. 



Stavesacre (DelpMnmm Stapliisagria), a strong - growing 

 biennial of the Buttercup family (Eanunculacese), native of the 

 South of Europe. Under this name it was held in high rex3ute 

 by the ancients as a cure for many diseases. The active prin- 

 ciple is contained in the seeds, which have a disagreeable smell, 

 and a nauseous, bitter, bu.rning taste. They yield an alkaloid 

 called Delphinia. 



Stavesacre was originally employed as a cathartic, but it acted 

 with so much violence that it has been to a great extent laid 

 aside, and is now chiefly employed for eruptions in the skin, 

 for destroying lice, and as a cure for the itch insect. Delphinia 

 is an extremely acrid poison. Six grains, administered in water, 

 will kill a dog in three hours ; but the same quantity dissolved 

 in vinegar has caused death in forty minutes. 



Stinging Bush {JatropTia stimulans, sometimes called /. 

 Tiorrida), a small, straggling, soft-wooded shrub of the Spurge- 

 wort family (Euphorbiacese), with lobed leaves, covered, as well 

 as the younger parts of the wood, with stiff hairs, like small 



