244. MONOHYPOGYNEE. 
Porsonous Properties.—There is only one plant of 
poisonous quality in this family, the Bearded Darnel Lolia 
temulentum) the seeds of which are of a deleterious natu 
It seems to be one of the narcotico-acrid poisons, causing I 
toxication and convulsions. The Spurred Rye is also of 
poisonous nature. It brings on giddiness, convulsions, 4 
gangrene of the extremities. It is sometimes accidental 
mixed with the grain in rye-bread, and has been known 
cause a sort of epidemic in particular districts on the Con 
nent where this kind of bread is much in use. Indian Co 
is subject to the same disease as Rye, the ergot, and in t 
diseased state is called Mays peladero. 
ORDER XV. 
: CYPERACEZ. 
_ Cxaracters.—Herbaceous plants, generally growing 
‘Inoist places; roots fibrous ; stem a cylindrical or triangu 
culm, often without joints, solid, and with no diaphragm 
the joints; leaves sheathing ; sheaths not slit ; inflorescence 
a spike or spikelet: flowers unisexual or hermaphrodite 
_ sexual organs generally in the axilla of a single bractea 
(glume) ; bracteas imbricated; stamens various, generally 
_ 3, hypogynous; anthers fixed by the base; ovary 1-celled, 
_ L-seeded, superior, surmounted by a single generally trifid 
oe (sometimes bifid), surrounded at the base by minute 
a Sweet sie Galingale (Cyperus longus) 
‘us papyrus, from which the ee mounts 
