Linnean System of Plants. 237 



The second order of the class Triandria is rich in Invaluable 

 productions. The plants of this order are not remarkably 

 handsome; but they are to mankind, to Europeans, at least, 

 the very " staff of life." It is chiefly composed of the grasses, 

 of which there are many of incalculable utility, not only to 

 mankind but to beast-kind ; but the greatest treasure of its 

 vv^ealth is corn. Wheat, rye, oats, and barley, all belong to 

 this order. The grasses are very numerous ; and, from the 

 smallness of their parts, and other causes, are, in many in- 

 stances, rather difficult to distinguish, but they are well worth 

 all the time and attention they demand. In a space not larger 

 than a grain of rice, we may distinguish six or seven florets 

 enclosed by a two-leaved calyx : eiich floret composed of a 

 corolla in two parts ; of three filaments, with anthers rather 

 large in proportion with the other parts ; and the germ, with 

 its two styles and stigmas. Yet, notwithstanding their dimi- 

 nutive size (frequently not distinguishable without a mag- 

 nifier), these stigmas are often finely feathered with compound 

 feathers, as beautifully formed, and complete in every respect, 

 as it is possible for any feather to be. The elegance of form, 

 and delicate combinations of colour, are, in many species, 

 truly admirable. Among them may be instanced one of the 

 commonest and most generally known of all the grasses, the 

 rye-grass (Zolium perenne). The meadow soft-grass (i/olcus 

 lanatus) has beautiful downy leaves, like velvet to the touch, 

 with a compound spike of flowers, delicately variegated with 

 pink and pale green. Another of this genus, H, arenaceus, is 

 both elegant and majestic. I have seen this grass 6 ft. high, 

 with leaves 2 ft. long, and more than 1 in. wide ; with its 

 panicle of flowers gently drooping to one side, at least 1 ft. 

 6 in. in length, and so finely polished, that, but for their green 

 colour, we might think it was composed of silver oats. Yet it is 

 not green ; neither is it white, nor gold-colour, nor purple, but 

 it is a union of all these ; it is the offspring of silver and of 

 gold, of the amethyst and the emerald. It is, indeed, very 

 variable ; but, in the full pride of its beauty, this grass is truly 

 magnificent. The light purple pyramids that quiver in every 

 field and meadow, must be well known to every reader. In 

 fine, the student who has leisure to investigate their beauties, 

 will find the family of grasses peculiarly interesting, and much 

 more various and beautiful than, from the apparent homeliness 

 of many, they might be supposed to be. Our gratitude is yet 

 further claimed by this class and order, for its production of 

 the sugar-cane, a plant which many persons will value no less 

 than wheat itself. 

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