GRASSES. 13 



of the stem, which is often hollow, though mostly 

 filled with a soft pithy substance, which becomes 

 harder as it nears the outer surface of the stem. The 

 peculiar formation of the leaves of endogenous plants 

 is also striking - } the veins all run parallel to each 

 other, mostly throughout their entire length, instead 

 of branching off and forming the beautiful and 

 prominent net-work so noticeable in others. To 

 this order also belong a variety of plants differing 

 widely from the grasses, such as some species of the 

 Lilies, the Orchids, and many more, some of which 

 will be mentioned hereafter. 



The stems of most plants are much branched, but 

 the formation of the grasses is peculiar, the stalk 

 being mostly tubular and jointed, and quite simple, 

 except where, in some instances, it is parted to give 

 place to a cluster of flowers. The leaves are very 

 long and narrow, and the flowers are variously ar- 

 ranged, sometimes scattered loosely upon the stem, 

 as in the oats, sometimes in a short compact head, 

 suspended from the ends of long and slender branch- 

 lets, as in the Rattlesnake's grass; and sometimes 

 they are densely crowded at the end of the stem, in 

 a lengthened spike, as in Wheat, Rye, and Timothy. 

 Each flower is composed of concave valves, placed 

 one over the other ; they are most conspicuous when 

 the beautiful white, yellow, purple or scarlet anthers, 

 which are hung gracefully upon their slender fila- 

 ments, project from the lips of the corolla : the plant 

 is then in bloom, and who does not admire a specimen 

 2 



