GR AMINES. 243 



This is one of the grasses, that have polygamous flowers, some- 

 times both stamens and pistils in the same flowers, and at others 

 not. 



HiEROCHLOA. Gmelin. 3. 2. 



Glume 2-valved, 3-flowered ; lateral florets bear 3 anthers only, 

 central floret is perfect, with 2 stamens commonly. 



Taken from Holcus, whose glumes are 2-flowered, and have 

 dissimilar florets. ' 



H. borealis. R. and S. Seneca Grass. Panicle rather 

 1 -sided, somewhat spreading ; 18 inches high ; wet meadows ; 

 May. Sweet-scented American plant, spread widely over the 

 country, but not of much utility. 



HoRDEUM. L. 3. 2. Barley. 



Inflorescence a spike or long dense head of flowers ; spikelets 

 3 at each joint of the head, 1 -flowered, commonly all perfect. 

 Several species are cultivated. 



H. vulgare. L. The common barley. 



H. hexastichon. L. The head six-rowed. 



H. distichon. L. The spike two-rowed. 



A well-known use of barley is for malting, for the produc- 

 tion of beer ; a drink, which is the bane of England, and is far 

 too often a nauseous compound in this country, ruinous to appe- 

 tite, and health, and good looks. Beer-drinkers have a loath- 

 some appearance. 



Barley flour forms much valued hot cakes for breakfast. Pot 

 barley is a preparation of the seed by grinding off the husk. In 

 the pearl or hulled barley, the seed is left finely round and white ; 

 it is much used in soups and in medicinal drinks. Loudon. Its 

 use is comparatively familiar in this country. 



H. jubcUum. L. Wild Barley. Squirrel-tailed Grass. Culm 

 slender, smooth, about 2 feet high, with rather shoit leaves ; awns 



