Bamhusa. hexanuria monogynia. 199 



middle one is the largest, and often compound ; all are more 

 or less recurved, very strong, and sharp. By the number 

 and strength of these spines, and of the branches of this 

 species, it may be said to form the most impenetrable 

 jungle in India. Leaves sessile on their sheaths, bifari- 

 ous, linear-lanceolate, cuspidate, rarely more than six 

 inches long. The sheaths have their mouths ciliate with 

 hairs and filaments. 



Inflorescence. The plants of the clump when in flower, 

 form one immense, naked panicle ; for at this time there 

 is not a leaf to be found on them. Spikdets crowd- 

 ed on the joints of the extreme branchlets, sessile, lanceo- 

 late, generally three, four, five or six -flowered, &c. ex- 

 actly as in Poa. Florets the inferior two and terminal 

 one male hermaphrodite, or neuter, the middle two, or 

 three, or four hermaphrodite. Calyx, the number of scales 

 which embrace the base of each spikelet uncertain. Co- 

 rot; glume, two-valved ; exterior smooth, hard, and point- 

 ed ; inner as long as the exterior, concave behind; mar^ms 

 incurved, forming one acute angle, as in Poa ; edges 

 of the posterior concavity much ciliate. Nectary of three, 

 corol-like, oval, ciliate scales. Filaments six, three im- 

 mediately within the nectarial scale, and three alternate 

 with them. Germ clavate. Styles three, entirely clothed 

 with pale purple wool. 



Like the other species, this is employed for various 

 useful purposes ; and as it grows to a pretty large size, 

 and with a smaller cavity than any of the others, it is 

 strong, and well adapted for a variety of uses. 



7. B. nana. R. 



Shrubby, unarmed. 



Sans. Keu-fa, of the Chinese ; a native of their country, 

 and now plentiful in the Botanic Garden at Calcutta, but 

 has not yet blossomed in Bengal. It makes most beauti- 

 ful close hedsres. 



