GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. 219 
Such as have pahnated rods, 
Latifolia , . Male-handed Orchis v/ith feraig^t, palmated 
roots, the. horn of the nc<5lariuni conica]; the lip cut 
into three loI)es, which are rerieccecl on the ficies, and 
the (iracce^e are longer tlian the iiowers. In meadows 
and pafeures. Per. May\ Ju7te, 
Wilson lays, the flowers are purplifn, with purple 
wings on each fi' e, and grow in a fpjke n< !C very thick, 
nor very long. The upper petal is erect, the under ones 
meet, and K>rm a crefc. hf 'he i>eard is hroad, divided 
into three parts, flrircd, or fpeckled with deeper lines 
or fpecks, and has a f[)ur half an inch long: At the 
origin of each pedicle hands a broad, oblong, puqdiih 
leaf. The flower often varies its colour. 
F f 2 . Maculata , . 
hardened in the air, which will require feveral days to elFe£l; or by 
ufing a gentle heat, they may be finifued in a few hours. 
Salep thus prepared, may be afforded in this pr^t of England^ where 
labour bears a high value, at about eight pen e or ten pence per pound. 
And it might be fold ffill cheaper, if the orchis were to be cured 
without feparating the brown fein which covers it; a troubie- 
fome part of the p"Ocers, and vvh'ch dees not contribute to ren- 
der the root either more palatable or falutary. Whereas tlie foreign 
Salep is now fold at five or fix ffiiliings per pound. The culture of 
the Orchis, therefore, is an objedt highly deferving of encourage- 
ment from all the lovers of agriculture. And as the root, if intro- 
duced into common ufe, would rurnifh a cneap, v.'hoiefome, and 
moil nutritious article of diet, the growth of it would be fuffigi^nN 
ly profitable to the faimer. 
Zahep isfaid to contain the greatefl quantity of vegetable nouriffi- 
ment, in the fmalleff bulk. Hence a very judicious writer, to pre- 
vent the dreadful calamity of famine ati'ea, has lately propofed that 
the powder of it fliould confiitute pan of the provifions of every 
ffiip^s company. This powder and portable foup, diflblved in boil- 
ing water, form a rich thick jelly, capable of lupporting life for a 
confiderable length of time. An ounce of each of thefe ai tides, 
with two qparts of boiling water, will be fuffic’ent fubfiffence for a 
man a day; and as being a mixture of animal and vegetable food, 
mufi; prove more nourilhing than double the quantity of rice cake, 
made by boiling rice in water. Vide Gsorgical Ejjays, vol, 4. pa. 163, 
