106 ORD. LI. Gramina. HORDEUM DISTICHON. 
The stem of this plant rises from two feet to two and a half high, termi- 
nated by the ear or spike, which is flat, with a double row of defective, or 
male florets, on each flat side; and a single row of fertile florets on each ridge. 
' The valves of the calyx are linear, and one half shorter than the corolla, or 
inner chaff, which terminates in a straight serrated awn or beard, sixteen 
times its own length. When ripe, the husk is coriaceous, angular, and con- 
tinues closely attached to the grain, which is ovate, oval, acute at both ends, 
and angular. Figure (c) a flower, largely magnified. 
Chemical Properties, §c. Barley has little: or no taste, and is inodorous. 
According to the analysis of Fourcroy and Vauquelin, it contains a large pro- 
portion of starch, an animal substance partly soluble in water, and partly 
forming glutinous flocculi, phosphate of lime, and magnesia; silica, iron, 
a small portion of unctuous, coagulable oil, and a little acetic acid. 
Pearl-barley is prepared by grinding off the husk of the rough grain, by 
means of machinery; it is afterwards rounded in a mill, which at the same 
time gives the granules a polish. In this state, barley consists almost solely 
of amylaceous matter. 
Economical Uses, §c. Barley cannot be considered as a medicine, nor is 
it ever used as such im substance. A decoction of pearl-barley, properly 
acidulated, is one of the best beverages in acute and febrile diseases. Bar- 
ley, as an article of food, is less used than it was formerly. It is chiefly cul- 
tivated in this country for the purpose of converting into malt, for making 
beer, and for the distillation of ardent spirits. Pearl-barley, when boiled, 
forms an excellent article of nourishment. 
Off. Prep. Decoctum Hordei, L. E. D. 
S MOR -Hordei Compositum, L. D. 
