429. Zamia furfuracea.—This plant belongs to the order Cycadaceæ, and is grown to some extent for the starchy matter contained in the stem, which is collected and used as arrowroot; but it is not the true arrowroot, that being produced by a species of Maranta.
430. Zamia integrifolia.—The coontie plant of Florida. The large succulent roots afford a quantity of arrowroot, said to be equal to the best of that from Bermuda. The fruit has a coating of an orange-colored pulp, which is said to form a rich edible food. It was from the roots of this plant that the Seminoles of Florida obtained their white meal.
431. Zingiber officinale.—This plant is cultivated in most warm countries for the sake of its rhizomes, which furnish the spice called ginger. It is prepared by digging up the roots when a year old, scraping them, and drying them in the sun. Ginger, when broken across, shows a number of little fibers embedded in floury tissue. Its hot pungent taste is due to a volatile oil. It also contains starch and yellow coloring matter. Ginger is used for various medicinal purposes, and in many ways as a condiment, and in the preparation of cordials and so-called teas.
Transcriber's Endnotes
The following list details significant changes to the originally published text, along with other noteworthy points:
Page [4]. "Acacia deal bata" amended to Acacia dealbata.
Page [5]. "Amomum meleguetta" amended to Amomum melegueta.
Page [6]. "Andropogon schænanthus" amended to Andropogon schœnanthus.
Page [7]. "Araucaria bidwilli" amended to Araucaria bidwillii.
Page [7]. "Araucaria cunninghami" amended to Araucaria cunninghamii.