Edible Products. 



132 



[August, 190S. 



common in all j heels. The roots are 

 parched and eaten after removing the 

 outside. Not very nutritive, and was 

 only used during famine. Ordinarily 

 the mud attached to the root of this 

 plant is used as a dye, and produces a 

 very permanent black colour. Found 

 all the year round. [Many species of 

 Cyperus in Ceylon.] 



109. Bonka Seed.— Grows on tanks 

 and banks of j heels. The seed is collected 

 parched, and made into a kind of sattu. 

 It ripens about J anuary. Not very nutri- 

 tive, and the leaves are more or less 

 poisonous. 



110. Bhastr (Nelumbium speciosum, 

 Willd., Nat, Ord. Nymphoeaceoe) — The 

 root of the purain water lily found 

 more or less in all j heels. It is eaten raw 

 like a radish, and is also boiled and eaten 

 as a vegetable. The seed of the fruit is 

 also eaten uncooked, and was much 

 sought after during the famine. Flowers 

 in July and August, and ripens in 

 October. [Common in Ceylon. Nelun, 

 Sinh. ;Tamarai, Tarn.] 



111. Jheoni. — A small creeper found 

 in j heels. The roots are boiled and 

 eaten, and considered most edible and 

 nutritive. — Appendix to Indian Forester 

 for February, 1908. 



