MONOHYPOGYNEX. 243 
to the third year, while the other must be renewed 
ly.— Ainslie, vol. i. p. 409. The young shoots-of some . 
tall reeds in Brazil, called Taraquassa, contain a cool agree- 
le liquid, used as a drink by hunters. 
Thus man derives his main support from the Grasses, liv- 
g chiefly on their seeds, and on animals which derive their 
‘tance from them. 
‘Mepicinat Proprrties.—The Grasses present little of 
terest in a medicinal point of view. The roots and stems 
e more or less sweet, and of a demulcent nature, and also 
seeds in decoction. The Ergot of Rye is of great use 
the medical practitioner on account of its stimulant action 
the uterus. This property, however, does not belong to _ 
seed in its natural state, but in a state of disease from the 
e of a fungus (Sclerotium clavus, De Candolle), or as — 
suppose, from the ravages of an insect. The disease 
s been called Ergot, and consists in the pickle being chang- 
to a long blackish body, somewhat like a spur ; hence the 
e “ Spurred Rye.” ‘The disease attacks Rye chiefly in 
mp situations, and is very frequent in some parts of France. 
Couch Grass ( Triticum repens) is said to have a diuretic vir- 
tue in its roots ; and the same property is found in the roots 
of Arundo Donax and A. phragmites, Several species of An- 
bogon are said to,be aromatic and tonic, as A. schenanthus, 
citratum, and A. nardus. Rice (Oryza sativa) has been — 
reckoned a good demulcent. Triticum vulgare Oe hyber- 
ty 
