ARRACACHA, fierit-kii!cha (Sp., from na tive name). A plant, Arraerteia iranthorrhiza, of the natural order I'mbellifenc, a native of the ele vated table-lands in the neighborhood of the cities of Pogotfi. Colombia, and Caracas. Venezuela. and of regions of similar climate in other parts of tropical South America. It is much cultivated in its native country for its roots, which are used as an esculent. The roots divide into a number of parts. which resemble cows' horns or large carrots. \\lien boiled they are firm and tender. with a flavor not so strong as that of a parsnip. The plant is much like hemlock, and has a similar heavy smell. Humboldt referred it to the genus Conium (Hemlock), but it has since been made the type of a new genus. The flowers are in compound umbels, and are of a dull purple color. The arraca•ha was at one time very strongly recommended as a substitute for potatoes. It was introduced into Great Brit ain through the exertions of the Royal Horti cultural Society, and its cultivation persever ingly attempted: but it has been found unsuit able to the climate of England and of other parts of Europe, where it has been tried. perishing on
the approach of the frosts of winter without having perfected its roots. The dry weather of summer is also unfavorable to it. It seems to require a very regular temperature and con stant moisture. There are probably some parts of the British and other colonies in which the arraeacha might be found a very valuable plant. In deep, loose soils it yields a great produce. It is generally propagated by offshoots from the crown of the root. By rasping the root and washing, a starch similar to arrowroot is ob tained. There is another species of the same genus, Arraeacia .moschata, a native of the same regions, the root of which is inedible.