194 HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Bambusa. 
The root consists of many small fibres, ‘spreading in’ 
every direction, but to no great distance, nor do they pe- 
netrate very deep. | 7 
The roots of all the other species are similar. 
Stems in old plants numerous from the same root, joint- 
ed, smooth, and ramous. In the month of June, soon 
after the first: rains set in, new ones rise up amongst those 
of the former year and in the same manner in all the o- 
ther species, at first in the form of a Targe’ straight ele- 
phant’s tusk, invested in strong coriaceuus sheaths, one 
at each joint ; these shoots rise simple to their full size, 
from twenty to seventy feet in height, and from six to — 
twelve inches in circumference, in the course of about 
thirty days ; during which period the sheaths drop off, 
and aré soon Succeeded by numerous, alternate, ramous, 
bifarious, unarmed branches, from the joints ; before these 
appear, the shoots look like as many naked fishing rods, 
of immense size. Leaves alternate, bifarious, subsessile, 
sheathing, linear-Ianceolate, acute-pointed, with ‘their 
bases broad, and often’ rounded, or cordate ; from six to 
twelve inches long, and about one broad. Sheaths of 
the leaves ‘longer than the joints, and ending oe two, ae i 
ral, stipulary, bearded processes,” ib 998308 : 
Inflorescence. Before these trees blossom, they salen wa’ 
of considerable age, several years ; and even then it is 
seldom they can be found in this state ; at that period 
the whole plant is destitute of leaves, and forms one im- 
mensely, oblong, waving panicle, composed of innumiera-. 
ble, supra-decompound ramifications. 
" Spikelets lanceolate, sessile, one, two, three, or more at : 
the joints of the most extreme rawifications ; each bear-— 
ing from four to eight, (generally all.) hermaphrodite 
flowers. Calyx calycled, as in the other species describ- 
ed by me. © Corol two-valved. Exterior valve oblong, 
pointed, smooth, completely involving the inner valve, — 
as well as a portion of the flat rachis in which it is in- | 
