; • • 306 . 



superadded, which gives its roots a tonic and stomachic quahty. ' Dec\ T\\e 

 •tulDers of Cyperus rotundus are said by General Hardwicke to be adminis- 

 tered successfully in cases of cholera Ijy Hindoo practitioners, who call the 

 plant Mootha. Those of C. perennis, or Nagur-Mootha, are, when dried 

 and pulverised, used by Indian ladies for scouring and perfuming their hair. 

 Trans. M. and P. Soc. Calc. 2. 400. The root of Cyperus odoratus has a 

 warm aromatic taste, and is given in India, in infusion", as a stomachic. 

 Ainslie, 2. 58. Cyperus Hydra is said by Dr. Hamilton to be a pest to the 

 sugar-cane plantations of thS West India Islands, overrunning them and 

 rendering them barren. The planters call it Nut Grass. Prodr. Fl. Ind. 

 p. 13. The root of Scleria lithospernta is supposed, upon the Malabar coast, 

 to haveantinephritic virtues. Ainslie, 2. 121. The papyrus of the Egyptians 

 was obtained from a plant of this order, Cyperus Papyrus. Various Scir- 

 puses and similar plants are applied to domestic purposes, such as making 

 the bottoms of chairs, the wicks of candles,- the stuffing of cushions, &c. 

 Examples. M. Lestiboudois divides Cyperacese thus : — 



§ 1. Scirpeae. (Scirpus, Eriophorum.) 

 § 2. Kobresiese. (Elyna, Kobresia.) 

 § 3. Cyperese. (Cyperus, Kyllinga.) 

 § 4. Chrysitriceai. (Chorizandra, Chrysitrix.) 

 But this arrangement has little merit. M. Kunth uses the following : — 

 § 1. True Cyperacese. (Cyperus, Kyllinga.) 

 § 2. Scirpeae. (Scirpus, Schoenus.) 

 § 3. Sclerinse. (Scleria.) 

 § 4. Caricinse. (Carex, Uncinia.) 



