296 MONOCOTYLEDONES. 



close together. Hordenm (Barley). In each tooth three 1-flowerecl 

 spikelets. H. hexast it-hum (6-rowed Barley), has 6 rows of fruits, 

 since all the spikelets'are fertile, and H. distichum (2-rowed Barley) 

 2 rows, since the lateral spikelets are <$ , and barren (p. 292). 

 Elymus has 2-6 many-flowered spikelets in each joint of the main 

 axis. JEgilops has awns upon the glumes. 



DiSTKiBtiTiON. 315 genera with 3,500 species. The order is distributed 

 over the whole world, and as regards number of individuals is perhaps the 

 richest. In the Tropics, large, broad-leaved, tree-like forms are found (Bam- 

 l>use<e, Olyreff, Andropogonete, etc. ; in S. Europe, Amiido doita.r) ; in England, 

 next to the Composite?, it is the order most rich in species (about 134). The 

 origin of some of the cultivated Grasses is lost in obscurity. The Maize, no 

 doubt, was indigenous to America, where its nearest relatives are found, and 

 where it has also been discovered in ancient Indian graves ; Durra or Guinea- 

 corn, Millet and Sugar-cane are South Asiatic plants, and our own cereals no 

 doubt have sprung primarily from Western Asia and South-Eastern Europe 

 (Barley from Armenia and Persia, where a very closely related wild species 

 is found ; Wheat from the same districts ; Rye from the perennial species 

 .S. wontanum). Panicum altissimum and Eice have come from Africa. 



USES. The Grasses play a very important part as cereals and fodder plants. 

 The following are the most important of the cultivated ones: Triticum rulgare 

 (common Wheat), turgidum, amultntm, polonicum, fpelta, dunini, etc. ; Secalc 

 cerr.ale (Rye) ; Barley (Horcleiun-species, see under the genus) ; Maize ; Oats 

 (Avena saliva, oricntalis, inida) ; Millet (Panicum miliaceum) ; Durra (Turkish 

 Millet, or Guinea corn, Sorghum vulyare, cernuum and saccharatuni) ; Manna- 

 grass (Glyceria fliuton*). As fodder-plants especially: Rye-grass (Lolium 

 perenne); Oat-grass (Ave.na elatior) ; Timothy (Plileum pratem?) ; Fox-tail 

 (Alopecurus pratemis) ; Cock's foot (Dactylic glomrrata) ; Dog's tail (Ci/nominat 

 cristatus); Sweet-vernal (Antlioxanthum odoratum) ; Soft grass, or Yorkshire-fog 

 (Holcus lanatus and mollis) ; Quaking-grass (Briza mdia) ; species of Meadow- 

 grass (Poa) ; Fescue (Fcstnca) and Brome (Bromiii). Several cultivated species 

 of Grass are also used in the preparation of fermented liquors, the starch in 

 the seeds being transformed to sugar (beer from " Malt," i.e. the germinated 

 Barley ; arrack from Rice) ; or the stem becomes specially saccharine before 

 flowering: the Sugar-cane, Sorghum saccharatuni. 



OFFICINAL. The rhizome of Triticum repem, Oat-grain, flour of Barley, and 

 the starch of Wheat, also sugar. 



The seeds of Lolium temulentum are considered 2^oisonous. The stems of 

 many species (including our common grains) are used in the manufacture 

 of paper, especially "Esparto grass" (Sti2>a tenacissima) from Spain and N. 

 Africa, and the sheathing-leaves of the ? -spike of Maize. Sand Lyme-grass (Ely- 

 mus arenarins), and especially Psamma arenaria, are important. But few Grass- 

 species are sweet-scented : Anthoxanthum odoratum and Hierochloa cdorata 

 contain cournarin ; Andropogon-species have essential oils (' Citronella oil"). 

 ORNAJIENTAL PLANTS are : the " Ribbon-grass" (a variety of Diijruphis arundi- 

 nacca), Stipa peunata (whose awn is exceedingly long and feathery), Gynerium 

 argenteum (Pampas-grass), Lagurus oratus, Hordeum jubatitm, Lronuts Irizi- 

 fonnis. 



