118 CYPERACEiE. [Endogens. 



latter sometimes appear iii different species of Mariscus. Sedges approach Cordleafs 

 (Restiacese) in the pecuUar state of the flowers and in general habit. They are, however, 

 clearly distinguished from that order by theu' seeds beuig erect not pendulous, and by 

 theu' more comphcated ovary, which is always formed by 2 or 3 carpellary leaves, 

 although enclosmg only one ovule, while Cordleafs have but one carpellary leaf to each 

 ovule. The sheaths of the leaves of Cordleafs are slit, Hke those of Grasses. Sedges 

 stand then in the same relation to Cordleafs as Buckwheats to Chenopods. The 

 species are extremely difficult to determine, and the distinctive characters of the genei-a 

 were unsatisfactory, until Professor Nees v. Esenbeck rearranged the Order in the 

 place above quoted. 



Found m marshes, ditches, and running streams, in meadows and on heaths, in groves 

 and forests, on the blo^^■ing sands of the sea shore, on the tops of mountams, from the 

 arctic to the antarctic circle, wherever Phsenogamous vegetation can exist. Humboldt 

 remarks, that in Lapland Sedges are equal to Grasses ; but that thence, from the tempe- 

 rate zone to the equator, in the northern hemisphere, the proportion of Sedges to 

 Grasses very much diminishes. As we approach the Line, the character of the order 

 also changes : Carex, Scu'pus, Schoenus, and theu' alhes, cease to form the principal 

 mass, the room of wliich is usurped by multitudes of species of Cyperus, by Kyllmga, Ma- 

 i-iscus, and the hke, genera comparatively unknown in northei'n regions, or at least not 

 forming any marked feature in .the vegetation. A few species are common to very 

 different parts of the world, as Scu'pus triqueter, Eleocharis capitata, and Fuirena 

 umbellata, to New Holland and South America, and several Scu'pi to Em'ope and the 

 southern hemisphere. 



While Grasses are celebrated for theu' nutritive quahties, and for the abundance of 

 feecula and sugar they contain. Sedges are Uttle less remarkable for the frequent absence 

 of those principles : hence they are scarcely sought for by cattle. The roots of Carex 

 arenaria, disticha, and hirta, have diaphoretic and demulcent properties, on which 

 account they are called German Sarsaparilla. Those of Cyperuses are succvdent, and 

 filled with anutritive and agreeable mucilage. In C^-pei'us longus (the Kvrreipos of Hip- 

 pocrates) a bitter principle is superadded, which gives its roots a tonic and stomachic 

 quahty. The tubers of Cyperus hexastachyus or rotundus are said by General Hard- 

 wicke to be administered successfully in cases of cholera by Hindoo practitioners, who 

 call the plant Mootha. Those of C. pertenuis, or Nagm'-Mootha, are, when dried and 

 pulverised, used by Indian ladies for scom'ing and perfuming their hah*. The root of 

 Cypeinis odoratus has a warm aromatic taste, and is given m India, in mfusion, as a 

 stomachic. The root of Scu'pus lacustris is astrmgent and dim-etic, and was once offici- 

 nal. Remu'ea maritima, a conmion plant in tropical America, is said to be powerfully 

 diaphoretic and diuretic ; and the same quahties are ascribed to Kyllinga odorata and Hy- 

 poporum nutans. The leaves of Cotton-grasses, Eriophonim, were once used m diarrhoea, 

 and the spongy pith of the stem to destroy tape-worms. Cyperus Iria has a reputation in 

 India as a useful medicine in suppression of the menses, and in cohc. The root of 

 Kyllinga triceps is employed in the East Indies m diabetes, and as a stomachic, for 

 which its acridity combined with some aroma has recommended it. The root of Scle- 

 ria hthosperma is supposed upon the Malabar coast to have antinephi'itic vu'tues. The 

 tubers or corms of Cypeinis esculentus, (the /jLaXiuodaWr) of Theoplu'astus), called by the 

 French Souchet comestible or Amande de terre, are used as food in the south of Europe, 

 and are employed m the preparation of orgeat ; Dr. Royle adds, that when roasted 

 they have been proposed as a substitute for coffee and cocoa. The Cliiuese cultivate 

 several species for food, especially the Pi-tsi or Scirpus tuberosus, which Nees v. Esen- 

 beck regards as a bulbous form of Limnochloa plantaginea. And Dr. Royle infonns us 

 (Illustr. p. 413), that the Cyperus bulbosus of Vahl (C. jemenicus L.), called Sheelandie- 

 aresee in Madras, and Puri-drempa by the Tehngas, has tubers wliich when roasted or 

 boiled taste like potatoes, and would be valuable for food if they were not so smaU. 

 Scii'pus dubius of Roxburgh, (the AUikee of the Tehngas) is given on the same autho - 

 rity as having tubers, which the natives say are as good as yams. 



The Papyi'us of the banks of the Nile, Pappnis anti quorum, of wliich boats, paper, and 

 ropes are made, is a plant of this family ; it is said to be called Babeer in Sjiia, and is 

 described by the Arabians (Avic. c. 543), by the name Fafeer and Burdee : the former 

 evidently of the same origin as the Greek and Syrian names. A species of the genus 

 Papyrus (P. corymbosus, N. ab E., P. Pangorei Arnott) is hardly of less use in India, 

 being extensively employed for making the mats so much used there for covermg the 

 floors of rooms, and which are also so much esteemed in Europe. Dr. Ainslie says that 

 a species, called Rora and Toonghi, which he refers to C. tcxtilis of Thunberg, is 

 employed in the peninsula for the same purpose. Some of the species of Scirpus, 

 especially S. lacustris, are sometimes substituted for rushes in making baskets and 

 chair bottoms, &c, ; Cyperus textilis is employed in making ropes, and as the Papyrus 



