166 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



food of the negro population. Yams are imported to this 

 country, but not in any quantity. 



Chinese Yam (Dioscorea Batatas). This is extensively 

 cultivated in China and Japan. It differs from the preceding 

 in having a long, spindle-shaped black root, about the size 

 of a parsnip, 2 — 3 feet long. It has been introduced to this 

 country and is perfectly hardy, indeed at one time expecta- 

 tions were entertained that it might prove a good substitute 

 for the potato, but as long as potatoes are to be had it will 

 not find much favour, being far inferior to them as a 

 vegetable. 



Tortoise Plant or Elephant's Foot (Testudinaria elephan- 

 tipes). A most remarkable plant, native of South Africa. 

 It consists of a large, woody, above-ground corm-stem, 

 generally of a conical form, having a diameter of from 3 — 4 

 feet, and as much in height, of a fleshy, fibrous substance, 

 being covered with a hard, woody, tessellated coat composed 

 of numerous angular protuberances, and producing from its 

 apex slender, twining, herbaceous stems. Leaves small, cor- 

 date. Flowers small, yellow. It was originally used by the 

 Hottentots as food, and was called " Hottentot Bread." The 

 popular name "Elephant's Foot" is given it from the resem- 

 blance which small plants bear to the rough foot of that 

 animal. Large plants of it are frequently imported to this 

 country. 



Section II. — Ovary inferior. 



THE NAECISS, AMEEICAN ALOE, AND PINE- 

 APPLE ALLIANCE. 



The Narciss Family. 



( Amaryll idace^ . ) 



Simple, or rarely branched palmids, or solitary, caespitose, 

 perennial phyllocorms, or bulbocormous herbs. Leaves grass, 

 strap, or sword-like, or variously oblong elliptical. In 

 Agaves thick and fleshy. Inflorescence a simple or branched 



