BRITISH SETTLEMENT


of equal consideration in anextendedriew,
yet scarcely less valuable from their con-,
tributing .so immediately to the wanitwf
man, may be enumerated: the maise, or
Indian corn, yams of various species,
cassava-root, of which is made a very pa-<
latable bread,* But of all, perhaps the
best known substitute for this indispen-
sable necessary, is the plantain, which
fourishes under the congenial ipntence
of a tropical climate, scarcely requiring
the labour of attention. Every ;Settle-

 Until the cassava receives very particular ;re.
paration,it is known to possess the most dangerous
poisonoa qualities. ITfok (Voyage to South
America, Vol. i. p. 70,) observPs, thatit is used,
ifter carefully taking off the upper skin ofthe rooi
It is grated and steeped in water to free it from its,
acrid juice, the water being frequently shifted.
In a quotation from Dr. Darwin, by Bryan Ed.
wards, Hist. West Indies, Vol. 1. p. i8 it is
remarked, that_~assava, vhen made lntbti'ead, Is
ret lerej ld iy the heat it undergoes, rather
than by pre9sing its superfluous jice.