168 



MONOCOTYLEDONS 



nothing but pulp in the fruit. (Compare the inferiority of i\ier^ 

 seeds of the Potato plant, page 93.) 



39. The Grass Family 



(Gramineae). 



Herbs (except the Bamboo), with a jointed, hollow, leafy stem, 

 called culm. Leaves entire, straight-veined, sheathed. Flowers 

 glumaceous, ^. e., consisting of dry and scaly glumes. Stamens 

 generally three (six in Rice). Ovary crowned with two feathery styles. 



Fruit one-seeded, in- 

 dehiscent, dry. Seeds 

 endospermous, mealy 

 and often nutritious. 



The Rice plant 



ipryza sativa). 



(Plate No. 620.) 



{Kan. Bliatta. Mai. Ari. 

 Sayi. Vrllii.) 



1. Importance. — 

 Ivice is tlie principal 

 food of about one- 

 third of the popula- 

 tion of the world, 

 and is, therefore, 

 the most useful and 

 most important of 

 all cereals. It is 

 found wild in some 

 parts of India, but 

 has from time imme- 

 morial been culti- 

 vated throughout the 

 warmer regions of 



V\)r. 153.— Tlio liice itlant {lh-i/z<i satica). ,.., 



.,. , . c „• , ,M /.. the world. A\ hat 



1. Flowering plant. 2. Seedlini,'. .i. L lower. 4. (unm. 



l)read is to the people 

 of the temperate zone, boiled rice is to those of warmer countries. 



