TRIANDRIA. 3 9 



and eaten off, the roots multiply and spread under 

 the surface of the ground ; and thus by a double pro- 

 vision of nature, are secured the preservation and re- 

 production of the plant so essential to the animal 

 world. Among this extensive tribe of plants no one 

 has been found of a poisonous nature, except the 

 Lolium temulentum,\\'\\\c\\\s'?>a\&toX)e intoxicating and 

 pernicious in bread. The seeds of the smaller kinds 

 are the sustenance of many birds ; while the seeds of 

 the larger grasses, as wheat, barley, rye, and oats, 

 supply food for the human species. Among these 

 the wheat is of the most importance, which, in its na- 

 tive state, is a very small seed 3 but by culture is en- 

 larged, and the quantity infinitely increased. From a 

 single grain, Mr. Chailes Miller, of Cambridge, pro- 

 duced no less than three pecks and three quarters, 

 weighing forty- seven pounds, by the following ma- 

 nagement : On the 8th of August he took up a plant 

 of wheat which had been sown in the beginning of 

 June, and divided it into eighteen parts, each of 

 which was transplanted separately 5 about the latter 

 end of September they were again removed, and 

 divided into sixty-seven roots. In the end of the 

 March following, and the beginning of April, they 

 were separated into 500 plants, which yielded 21,109 

 ears ; and thus this single grain produced 570,000 fold. 

 VIVIPAROUS FESCUE. This grass seems to make 

 an exception to the general law of nature, of repro- 

 ducing its like by seed ; and, if what is known con- 

 cerning it be correct, its habit is peculiarly interesting. 



