The average size of the tubers is that of cherries, but a few are found of much larger dimensions.  In their appearance they resemble the common potato, having apparently the peculiar indentations called eyes.  The skin of the tuber is of a rusty or blackish brown color.  The interior is very white, and the root has the taste and odor of the common potato.  The Indians state that the roots, if kept either in a dry or moist state, will not suffer any decay for a lengthened period.  They are very farinaceous, and contain a large per centage of starch, which resembles that of wheat; by being dried the tuber shrinks a little, but it immediately expands on being thrown into warm water.  It contains much nutritive matter, is wholesome, and I have no doubt, if properly cultivated, it will prove to be very prolific.  The tubers are situated a few inches below the surface of the soil, and are strung together like beads by a strong ligament.

A similar kind of earth-nut, or tuberous root, probably the Glycine subterranea of Linnaeus, the Voandzou of Madagascar, is extensively cultivated in various parts of Africa.

2. Claytonia acutiflora or Virginiana, the Musquash of the Micmac Indians, is found throughout the Northern and Southern States of North America.  It is thus described by Prof.  Eaton, “Man.  Bot.  N.A.”—­“Color of corolla, white and red; situation, alpine, perennial; leaves, linear, lance-ovate; petals, obovate, retuse; leaves of the calyx, somewhat acute; root, tuberous.  It blossoms in May.  The seed is ripe in June, when the plant disappears.”

These roots may be collected along the sea coasts and principal lakes and rivers of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward’s Island, although they are not plentiful, for they are greedily devoured by some of the wild animals, and wherever swine have been permitted to run at large they have been destroyed.

Dr. Gesner shipped several bushels of the saa-ga-ban to the principal agricultural societies in Great Britain, also to Halifax, and Nova Scotia.  The ordinary potato of this country does not yield more than 14 per cent. of starch, and it contains 76 per cent. of water.  From the best saa-ga-ban Dr. Gesner obtained 21 per cent. of starch, and the quantity of water is reduced to 50 per cent.  It also contains vegetable albumen, gum, and sugar.  From these facts it is evident that the saa-ga-ban is much more nutritive than the potato, and the weight of the tubers, in their wild state, compared with the weight of the slender vine in the best samples, is equal in proportion to the common cultivated potato in its ordinary growth.  The starch is very white, and closely resembles that made from the arrowroot.  It is not improbable that the quantity of water in the tuber will be increased by cultivation; yet the fibrous parenchyma will be reduced, and taken altogether, the nutritive properties will be increased; if the plant improve as much by cultivation as the potato and many others have done, its success is certain.