196 HEXANDRiA MONOGYNiA. Bamhusa. 



tal cord, otherwise they say the ceremony cannot be per- 

 formed. 



4. B. Balcooa. R. 



Arboreous, unarmed. Leaves sublanceolate ; with a 

 cordate base, inflorescence sub-radical, spikeletsi'i om four 

 to five-flowered, all hermaphrodite. 



Beng. Balkoo-bans. 



It is a native of Bengal, and on account of its size, 

 and strength, is reckoned by the workers in bamboo work 

 the very best sort for building the houses of the na- 

 tives, scaflblding, &c. works requiring both size and 

 strength. Flowering time the rainy season, however it 

 rarely arrives at this state, for I have but once met 

 with it in blossom. 



Stems similar to the other species, but stouter, and of- 

 ten taller. Ramifications also the same. Leaves bifarious, 

 subsessile on their sheathing bases, lanceolate, with the 

 base cordate; margms slightly hispid; smooth, deep green 

 on both sides ; from one to two inches broad, and from four 

 to twelve long. Sheaths longer than the joints ; exposed 

 parts villous, with a bearded stipulary mouth, (ligula,) 

 rising above the insertion of the leaves, hijlorescence in 

 radical, verticelled spikes ; verticels large, sub-globular, 

 composed of numerous, sessile spikelets, of from four to 

 six hermaphrodite flowers. Calyx calycled, Corol two- 

 valved. Exterior smooth, ovate. Liner with the exterior 

 margins ciliate. Nectary of three, oval, ciliate leaflets. 

 Stamina six. Style woolly. Stigmas three, and also woolly. 

 To make this species more serviceable, long immersion 

 in water is required to render them firmer, and proof 

 against the attacks of the Bostrichi, and their larvee. 



There are two varieties of this most useful species. The 

 large the natives call Dhooli-balkoo, and the smaller Bal- 

 koo-bans, which has a smaller cavity, and though not so 

 large a bamboo, is on that account very strong. 



