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Show 14 Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters root (Camassia esculenta). the commencement and food." at The root diet had a rather mournful effect of the calves was killed this evening for one On August 30, Fremont records: "Am.ong the roots we obtained here. I could distinguish only five or six different kinds; and the supply of the Indians whom we met con sisted prnicipally of yampah (Carum gairdneri). tobacco root (Valeriana) and a large root of species of thistle (Circium virginianum) which now is occasionally abundant, and is a very agreeably flavored vegetable." THE PIONEERS While Fremont, and the other available sources, had sup plied considerable general information on the geographical and physical features as well as on the fauna and flora of Utah the first settlers had to learn from hard experience when, separated by a thousand ex-team miles from the frontier, they early found themselves forced to depend more or less upon the natural products of the region. In 1847 and even more so in 1848, the settlers were saved from hunger or starvation by gathering the tubers, roots and other parts of indigenous plants, some of which had been men tioned by Fremont. Especially through,out the winter of 1848-49 food was very scarce among the settlers. The situation was in a measure relieved by bartering for "Indian meal," made by the natives from the seeds of grasses and chenopodaceous plants, which were ground in their stone hand mills. However, of far greater importance to the pioneers were the bulbs of the sego or tsigo of the Indians, Calochortus nuttallii which were gathered literally by the tons and were the salvation of many families. But roots of the thistle (Circium virginianum) and, where obtainable those of the Indian carrot (Leptotaenia multifida), of the squaw root or yampa of the Indians (Carum gairdneri) of the camas (Quam assia quamash), and of the tobacco root, 'or hooqab (Valeriana edulis) were gathered and used. There is much romance and adventure clustered about the camas. Practically everyone of the early explorers and many of the pioneers have recorded how at one time or another the camas saved him from hunger or starvation. In some localities it became something of a substitute for the pumpkin of New England. the bulbs being crushed in mortars, allowed to boil 'Or simmer for a long time until reduced to the consistency of stewed pumpkin. and then was sometimes made into pies. , Many plants were used as "greens" or in salads, dandelions and nettles, for example furnishing an old-fashioned dish here as it had done in the old country. Early adopted from the Indians for similar use was Claytonia perfoliata Down., this a . making |
