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The prepared bulb of the Orchis mascula and other species of Orchis. The salep of Cachmere is from a species of Eulophia. Salep is in small, irregular, hard masses. In its composition in relation to water, it is closely analogous to tragacauth. It is possessed of similar virtues with sago, tapioca, etc. The mucilage is prepared by dissolving the powdered salep in hot water, with assiduous stirring, and adding to the solution sugar and milk.

Otaheite, Arrow-root. (Tahiti).

Tubers of various orchids: nutritious and demulcent.

The dried tubers of various orchids. The most important constituent of s. is a mucilage, but it also contains some sugar and albumin and sometimes starch. It is used as an article of diet and its decoction, flavored, is used as a demulcent.