192 HKXANDRiA MONOGYNIA. Bamhusa. 



from two to three- valved, valvelets equal, oblong, con- 

 cave, smooth, and of a firm texture ; scales round the 

 base small, oval, number uncertain ; they are also often 

 common to several minute, sterile spikelets. 



Hermaphrodite flowers one, two, or three below the 

 male. Calyx no other than that above described. Corol 

 two- valved, the exterior valvelet rather the shortest, ob- 

 long, pointed, smooth, cartilaginous ; the inner valvelet 

 oblong, margins inflected, concave behind, and fringed 

 with hairs round the elevated margins of the posterior 

 concavity. Nectary three obovate scales embracing the 

 insertions of the stamens, and germ. Filaments six, in- 

 serted in the base of the germ. Anthers linear, incum- 

 bent. Germ oval. Style single. Stigma two-cleft ; 

 divisions plumose. Seed firmly closed in the corol, ex- 

 ceedingly like oats and about the same size. 



Male Flowers from one to three above the herma- 

 phrodite. Pistil none. 



It would be needless, and unnecessary to mention the 

 various purposes to which this most useful plant is put ; 

 they are already known to most people. 



The Tamul Doctors say the root is diluent ; that the 

 bark cures eruptions ; the Camphire, or salt (Tabaseer) 

 cures all sorts of paralytic complaints, flatulencies, and 

 poisons. The leaves are esteemed the bestEmmenagogue ; 

 the Chinese are said to possess the same idea. The seed 

 is used for food as rice. 



Tabasheer Vedroo Paloo, that is milk of bamboo, of 

 the Telingas ; and Mungle Upoo, salt of bamboo, of the 

 Tamuls, the substance so well described by Dr. Patrick 

 Russell, in the 80th vol. of the Philosophical Transactions 

 of London, is found in the cavities of the joints of this 

 sort. 



