Part 32 (2/2)

The starch obtained from the root of an American plant by pulverization It is often adulterated with potato starch, and the latter is even sold instead of it, for the two kinds reseuished

_Pulverization_, the act of reducing to powder

_Adulterated_, corrupted by foreign mixture

What is Tapioca?

Tapioca is another kind of starch, obtained from the root of the manioc plant, which is cultivated in most hot climates, in Asia, Africa, and America A flour is also prepared fro bread It is particularly cultivated in the tropical parts of America, and in the West India islands, where it forro population

_Negro_, a naiven to the black inhabitants of Africa and their descendants

_Population_, inhabitants of a place or country

What is Isinglass?

One of the purest and finest of _anilues It is the produce of several kinds of fish, but especially of the sturgeon, which inhabits the seas of Northern Europe and America

From what part of the fish is it prepared?

From the air-bladder, and certain parts of the entrails; these are taken out while fresh, cut open, washed, and exposed to the air a short time to stiffen; the outside skin is then taken off, and the res, and hung up to dry The isinglass is then separated into threads of different sizes, or formed into flakes Immense quantities are annually prepared in thisreadily in water or milk, it yields a mild nutriment for the sick, and enters into the composition of many delicacies for the table, such as jellies, &c It is ive lustre to silk and satin; it is also used invarious liquors Gelatine, nowless expensive, is a similar preparation, but of an inferior quality

What else does the Sturgeon supply?

Its roe furnishes the delicacy called Caviare, which is in fact merely that part of the fish separated froar and white wine, and dried in the air It is then well salted, and packed up in barrels ready for sale This is the e quantities of it are consuhly esteemed It is unwholesome, and at present the demand for it, except in Russia and Italy, is very limited The best is dry and of a brown color, and is eaten with lemon juice on bread

To what other uses is the fruit of the Vine applied besides drying it for raisins, as described in the sixth chapter?

The well-known plant, called the Vine, has been an object of culture froes of the world, for the sake of the fermented liquor obtained from its fruit; soon after the flood, Noe, who appears to have been the first ”husband ”planted a vineyard,” and drank of the juice of the grape; in all those countries where it flourishes, it is inseparably connected with their religious rites, and wine, like corn, formed one of the principal articles which they offered on their altars to the Gods whom they worshi+pped

_Husbandman_, one who cultivates the fruits of the earth

_Altar_, the place where sacrifices were anciently offered to some deity

What countries produce the best Wines?

The wines of France are generally adne, Burgundy, and Claret Of each of these, there are several varieties, celebrated for their peculiar flavor; they are generally naal, Italy, Gerary, Sicily, Greece, and California, also produce their various sorts of wine, each esteeetable bodies?