GRASSES. 15 



them useful ; while the inferior animals depend en 

 tirely upon that provision which Nature has made for 

 their supply. 



How beautifully do these facts illustrate those 

 words of our Saviour : " Consider the ravens, for they 

 neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse 

 nor barn, and God feedeth them!" 



The cereal grasses, or corn plants, are very rapid 

 in their growth, and in a surprisingly short time 

 send up a tall hollow stem, divided by joints, where 

 the leaves are inserted, one at each joint, on the alter- 

 nate sides of the stem; each leaf embracing the stem 

 like a sheath. 



Wheat stands at the head of the cereal grasses for 

 its great productiveness and utility. There are seve- 

 ral cultivated varieties of Wheat, the origin of all of 

 which is involved in obscurity. No where has it been 

 found in a wild state; at least, botanists have not 

 been able to identify any of the wild species with 

 those in cultivation. There is no doubt of its great 

 antiquity, grains having frequently been found en- 

 closed with the mummies of Egypt. Some of these 

 having been sown, have produced plants similar to 

 those now grown in the Levant. 



There is much to admire in a simple grain of wheat. 

 It contains within itself a marvellous vegetative power, 

 which, after having lain for centuries in the darkness 

 and obscurity of an Egyptian tomb, is capable, if 

 rightly managed, of being made to yield not only a 

 new plant, with its abundant spike, but also plant 

 after plant, and spike after spike, until the produce 



