Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-08-29

The Mascal Plant.

If this description be not very much
exaggerated. our gardeners should lose
no time in producing the Mascal Plant.
This extraordinary vegetable produc.
tion, "a description Of which has never
been published,) is only 10 be found on
the Rio Grande. aud its tributary streams.
N. w. OF the Mexican republic. II
grows spontaneously on the mos, barren
and sterile mountains in that country,
and is as much esteemed as an article of
food by the Mexican Indians, as is the
Buffalo, and the Deer, by their more
northern neighbors. The Mascal grows
IN the shape Of cabbage head, and
may be found as large as half barrel;
it is thickly covered with sharp prickly
protuberances to the length Of from
twelve to eighteen inches the root is
very small, the head has also a thick
covering of leaves, much resembling in
shape those of the Plantain tree, which
are very juicy, and when prepared for
eating in the same manner as the head
afford sweet and nutritious beverage.
answering every purpose to aalay thirst.
The process for cooking this plant is
very singular. yet if depressed from in
single instance the Mascal is spoiled
and rendered unfit for use F.: j, consists OF
digging hole or pit in the ground to the
depth OF four or five feet, hich must
be covered with lay er Of heated rocks
On which the Mascal is to be placed
with the root downward. thick coat Of
leaves and bushes must be thrown over
the mouth OF the pit. over all which is
to be laid thin coat OF dirt Just suffi-
cient to prevent the heat or steam from
escaping. In this situation must the
Mascai remain according to the Indian
comPutatioD) for three days and three
nights. when it may be taken out and
will be found perfectly cook ed. and most
delicious. In flavor it resembles ripe
mellow peach, each succeeding day ad
ding to its good qualities; it increases in
excellence by age. On this plant alone
90 the Indians subsist for months,
being perfectly satisfied with their iood'
and esteemiDg is above all other. A.
bout half a pound ofMascal is BY them
deemed suliicientto satisfy the cravings
OF hunger Tor day, and is always car
RED with them Oh their hunting and O.
ther excursions.-As before observed
the leaves OF this favored plant contain
rich and beautiful beverage although
forming most extraordinary combina-
tion OF food and drink, thus affordiDg a :
mother illustration of The bene ficepce of
kind Providence in securing even TO
the wild aud untntored savage luxury
which their more favored and civilized
brethren might well envy.
1 have seen the Nj ascal so thick in
some places as to form an almost impen,
etrable front Of thorns as formidable in
appearance as would be the same num-
Der OF glittering spears covering the
whole expanse of the country as far as
the eye could see. in travelling through
which the incautious or unwary will be
reminded by gentle stat of The neces-
sity there Is TO have care.
may also mention that many of the
Peasantry OF the states Of Lonora and
chihuahua, bordering On this country.
also cultivate the Mascal 10 their fields
and gardens. aud have been informed
disiil it into liquor, which is said 10 be
excellent and not inferior 10 the best ia
msica rum.-S. Louis argus.