266 _ & COMPENDIUM OF 
greek is an erect annual plant, reaching a height 
- of one or two feet, and cultivated as a kind of 
fodder; it bears a sickle-shaped pod having 
within from 10 to 20 seeds of a brownish yellow 
color, % of an inch (3 millimeters) long, rhom- 
' boidal as to their outlines, shrivelled and com- 
pressed with the hilum on the sharper edge, with 
a deep furrow running from it which almost 
divides the seedintotwo parts. The cotyledons 
enclose a hooked-like radicle. The seeds contain 
tannin, mucilage 28 per cent., volatile orl, fat, 
proterds 22 per cent., a bitter principle, ask, and 
trigonettine, but is entirely free from starch and 
sugar. Odor peculiar and of its own kind; 
taste bitter and mucilaginous, The Fenugreek 
has been xsed asa tonic and demulcent, but 
now entirely obsolete as aremedy. Principally 
used as an ingredient in horse powders and kept 
in stores as a powder for that purpose. Origin © 
of the name obscure, but probably of Greek 
derivation. 
Horedeum, Barley, Hordeum Distichon.— 
Natural order Graminacez. Said to be a native 
of Tartary. The culm is smooth and attains a 
height of 2 or 3 feet, adorned with linear-lanceo- 
late shaped leaves, rough on the upper surface, 
Sheaths nerved and smooth, Spike 3 or 4 inches 
long, compressed and containing on each spike- 
let 2 flowers, 3 stamens, ovary at the apex 
pubescent: Grain or seed oblong in shape with 
a longitudinal furrow. The grains or seeds of 
barley, deprived of their glumes or husks, con- 
tain 40 or 50 per cent. of Starch, gluten, gum, 
sugar, fat and some salts. Barley is made into 
. 
malt by a process of sweatin , and allowed to 
