(g) He that moves the glasses, seeing the effect they produce, is the better able to render the representation as natural as possible.

a genus of plants belonging to the Dioscia class; and in the natural method ranking under the 11th order, Sarmentaceae. See Botany Index.

The only remarkable and useful species is the bulbifer or yam. The roots of it are eaten by the inhabitants of both the Indies; and are particularly serviceable in the West India islands, where they make the greatest part of the negroes food. The plant is supposed to have been brought from the East to the West Indies; for it has never been observed to grow wild in any part of America; but in the island of Ceylon, and on the coast of Malabar, it grows in the woods, and there are in those places a great variety of sorts. It is propagated by cutting the root in pieces, observing to preserve an eye in each, as is practised in planting potatoes. One plant will produce three or four large roots. The skin of these roots is pretty thick, rough, unequal, covered with many stringy fibres or filaments, and of a violet colour approaching to black. The inside is white, and of the consistence of red beet. It resembles the potato in its mealliness, but is of a closer texture. When raw, the yams are viscous and clammy; when roasted or boiled, they afford very nourishing food; and are often preferred to bread by the inhabitants of the West Indies, on account of their lightness and facility of digestion. When first dug out of the ground, the roots are placed in the sun to dry; after which they are either put into sand, dry garrets, or casks; where, if kept from moisture, they may be preserved whole years, without being spoiled or diminished in their goodness. The root commonly weighs two or three pounds; though some yams have been found upwards of 20 pounds weight.