Sago

Sago is the pith of an Indian palm called Sagus iavis. This pith is steeped in water, becomes a paste, and is rubbed, when half dried, through a perforated plate, which causes it to be easily formed into little balls.

Tapioca

Tapioca is the pith of the Manihot tree, washed like sago, but formed into different shapes from that pulp. It is brought from Brazil and the East Indies. Tapioca is very nutritious and easy of digestion; boiled in milk, or with fruit, or as a pudding, or in soup, it is equally good and nourishing.

Semolina

Is a preparation of wheat flour - very nourishing.

Tous Les Mois

Is prepared from the pith of the Camia edulis, but more commonly from wheat flour.

Isinglass

Isinglass is made from the swimming-bladder of the sturgeon, and from other fish. It is a gelatinous substance, and is imported from Russia, Brazil, and the East and West Indies. Russian isinglass is the best.

Ribbon-isinglass is made from the intestines of the cod.

Gelatine

Gelatine is extracted from the bones and hoofs of animals, by boiling them at a high temperature. Anything which contains gelatine may be made into it. Gelatine is very low-priced. It will make jellies, etc., quite well. The smell of dissolving gelatine is like boiling glue. The smell of dissolving isinglass is fishy.

If the housewife has any doubt of the genuineness of the isinglass sold to her, the above test is a simple and sure one.