HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
49 
The French caused the greater part of the plants, trees, 8 c c. hereafter described, 
to be introduced into the island. Some of the inhabitants have also made consider¬ 
able contributions; among others, Messrs. De Cossigny, Poivre, Hermans, 8 cc. 
ist. The reproductive plants, and which are, as it were, naturalized in the country, 
ad. Those which are cultivated in the fields. 3d. Such as are esculent, and belong 
to the kitchen garden. And, 4th. The different kinds of flowers. 
Among the wild plants, a kind of indigo grows in the plains near the town. 
The Pourpier is a native of the country, and loves sandy places. 
The Water-cress is found in the rivulets, where it was sown some years ago. 
The dandelion and wormwood grow freely among the rubbish, and in earth that 
has been moved. But, above all, the Molene* spreads its large and downy leaves, 
and shoots up its cluster of yellow flowers to an extraordinary height. 
The Squine, (which is npt the Chinese plant of the same name) is a grass, that 
grows to the height of the finest rye, and chokes up the other herbs by the quick¬ 
ness of its growth; but it must be eat while it is green, as it is too tough when dry 
to be used as food for any animal. It is green only five months in the year; and 
the black Maroons sometimes set fire to it, in defiance of the ordinances published 
against such a conflagration. 
The Brette, whose name, in the Indian language, signifies an eatable leaf, is a 
species of morel. There are two kinds of them; the one called the Brette of Mada¬ 
gascar, whose leaf is somewhat thorny, but of a sweet taste, and a purgative quality. 
The other, which is in more common use, is served at table as spinage. It grows 
every where, and the water in which it is boiled is very bitter. The blacks moisten 
their manioc in it. 
The plants which are cultivated are as follow: 
The Manioc, of which there is another kind, called camaignoc, grows in the driest 
spots. It is a shrub, whose leaf resembles that of hemp; its root is as long, and as 
large as a man’s arm; and, when grated, is made into cakes: three pounds of it are given 
to each Negro for his daily food. M. de la Bourdonnais procured it to be brought 
from the island of Madeira, and, as it quickly multiplies, is sheltered from the hur¬ 
ricanes, and gives a nutritious subsistence to the Negroes, is a most valuable plant. 
The Maiz, or Indian corn, grows here to great perfection. It is a valuable grain, 
from its productive nature; though if it be kept long, the insect gets into it. 
• Verba scum, 
H 
