510 



The root yields two kinds of starch, white and yellow ; also a 

 poisonous substance. The white starch is very nutritious and 

 makes excellent puddings, much nicer than sea moss, farina or 

 corn starch ; in fact, it is equal to any starch for domestic or man- 

 ufacturing purposes. The yellow starch is much lighter than the 

 white, and can be easily separated. 



The roots yield a larger per cent, of white starch (hiring the dry 



yellow starch. If used at this period a good slice is taken oil" 

 the top and bottom, containing mostly yellow starch, which is 

 feed to chickens and hogs. They, however, never get fat, as the 

 substance contains but little nourishment. If the root is used 

 in the dry or resting season, the very tip of the root is taken off, 

 and a very thin slice with the leaves. 



After the roots are washed clean and deprived of the neces- 

 sary slice from top and bottom, they are then ground into a 

 pulp, mixed with water and which is passed through a screen. 

 This process carries off the poisonous matter as it is run off. 

 The yellow, being so light and not adhesive to the white starch, 

 is easily taken off. Both kinds dry easily in the sun. If the 

 water and starch remain together long, fermentation takes 

 place, and the two grades of starch will not separate. It is 

 therefore best to grind the roots quickly, draw off the water and 

 separate the starches promptly, as a pure white article is required 

 for commerce. 



The Seminole Indians make but little starch for sale ; they have 

 not the facilities for separating and drying ; but they make a good 

 deal for their own use, as they are not particular about leaving 

 the less nutritious yellow with the white. The Indians make it 

 into mush, either separate or mixed with flour ; they also make 

 bread of it, using the starch mixed with corn meal or flour. There 

 are several mills among the white settlers of Biscayne Bay for the 

 manufacture of this starch. 



The seed of this plant is covered with a bright orange pulp, 

 which, if eaten, has a dangerous narcotic effect. The leaves of 

 the Zamia are the favorite food of that beautiful butterfly Eumceus 

 Atala, which surpasses in beauty all other butterflies of Biscayne 

 Bay ; it is more numerous than any other ; it is not exaggeration 

 to say that it equals in number all the other species of butterflies 

 in that region. They fly low, with a slow, measured motion, 



