III.] GRAMINEAi. 341 



Maize, or Indian Corn, the largest Cereal, is a plant of 

 American origin, now extensively cultivated in hot countries. 

 As noted above, the flowers are monoecious j an exceptional 

 character in the Grass Family. 



As is usual in plants which have been under cultivation 

 for a very long period, most of the cereal grasses occur 

 under numerous slightly different forms or varieties, which 

 have probably originated by cultivation under various con- 

 ditions of soil and climate, and the selection of sorts, best 

 suited for particular purposes, by man. 



Apart from their importance as Cereals, Grasses are in- 

 valuable on other grounds. Some, as the Sugar-cane 

 {Saccharum officinaru?n), abound in a saccharine juice. 

 From this species the bulk of the sugar of commerce is 

 prepared. Others, as some species of Andropogon (Lemon- 

 grass, Kus-kus), furnish fragrant essential oils. The culm? 

 of grasses (straw) are largely used in matting, plaited work, 

 and thatching. Many are fodder-grasses. Cynodon Dadylon 

 alone is said to furnish three-fourths of the food of horses 

 and cattle in India. 



The applications of the rapidly-growing woody stems 

 and leaves of the Bamboo by the natives of India and 

 Eastern Asia are innumerable. A small room in the Kew 

 Museum is occupied by products and manufactures of the 

 Bamboo, including umbrella, chair, walking-stick, tiger-trap, 

 bow and arrow, window-blinds, bowls, combs, musical insfru- 

 ments, cloth, paper, &c. &c. 



