Re: Extinction (was Jurassic Intelligence)

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.ATTGIS.COM>]

 From: jdharris@csn.net (Jerry D. Harris)
 >  Cycad
 > seeds are, apparently, highly poisonous if just eaten right off the plant,
 > but are quite common in this region and are a staple food item.  To
 > eliminate the poisons, the seeds are soaked repeatedly in bowls of water,
 > for several weeks, to leech the poisons out. 

Yep, this is one of the standard methods for detoxifying things.
[Actually, I suspect they change the water several times in the
process, otherise it would tend to saturate with the poison and
not leach it all out].

A variant on this method is what one book I have calls "boiling
in several waters".  That is you boil it, throw out the water,
boil it again in fresh water, and so on.  This is how tapioca
is prepared.

[This was a book the wildflowers of Kansas which also mentioned
any uses, as either food or medicine, that each plant had.  A number
of native wildflowers have tubers that are edible if prepared this
way].

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.