GRAM IN E^. 575 



Description. — The silicious involucre of this grass con- 

 taining the seed is sold in the drug shops. It is about the size 

 and has much the appearance of a small cowrie shell, shining 

 white, and very hard. At the base is a scar marking the 

 attachment of the peduncle ; at the apex an opening, from 

 which, even in the dry state, a portion of the female flower 

 may be seen protruding. In the fresh state a spike of male 

 flowers, from one to two inches long, rises from it. 



Chemical composition. — Church [Food Grains of India) found 

 the edible grain, separated from the husk, to contain water 

 13-2, albuminoids 187, starch 58-3, oil 5-2, fibre 1-5, ash 2-1 

 in 100 parts. Peckholt, who examined the seeds grown in 

 Brazil, ascertained that 1000 parts afforded (among less im- 

 portant constituents) fatty oil 6-6, resin 3, sugar 7, starch 84, 

 husks and shell 696 parts. {Cat. of the Exhibition of 1866 at 

 Rio de Janeiro.) 



ERAGROSTIS CYNOSUROIDES, Rom. et Sch, 

 Fig. 



suit., t. 67. 



Hort. Mai 



Hab. Throughout the plains of India. The herb. 



Vernacular.— KvLBSi, Darbha {Hind.), Kusha {Beng.), Darbha, 

 Kusha {Mar.). . 



History, Uses, &c.-IiiHinduritualtheKusa occupies 

 much the same position as the Durva and Tulasi. Among the 

 synonyms for this grass are Darbha, Barhis " that which is 

 plucked up," Suchy^agra " needle-pointed," Yajna-bhushana 

 "ornament of sacrifice," Dirghapattra "having long leaves,'* 

 Vajna " lightning," Suchi-mukha " needle-mouthed,^' Punya- 

 trina "holy grass/' &c. Its pointed leaves are used for the 

 purification of sacred beverages, and spread beneath the 

 sacrificer and the sacrifice, like the Yervein was amongst the 

 Romans. In the Vedas this plant is often invoked as a god : 

 " Thee, Darbha, the learned proclaim a divinity not subject 

 to age or death ; thee they caU the armour of Indra, the pre- 

 server of regions, the destroyer of enemies ; a gem that gives 



