124 GRASSES. 
of them ; anthers basifixed, one bract to each fruit ; embryo at 
the bottom of the albumen. 
Graminee exhibit usually hollow stems, always with distant 
nodes ; leafstalks slit longitudinally ; sepals absent, or only two 
rarely more or one rudimentary scales instead of them ; anthers 
often versatile and bilobed; two unequal bracts to each fruit ; 
embryo lateral at the base of the albumen. 
The genus Cyperus has the bracts of its florets arranged into two 
rows forming spikelets, all bracts flowering, but no bristlets or 
scales around the fruit. Scirpus contrarely has the bracts in 
many rows around the axis of the spikelets and all or mostly 
flowering, while the fruit is surrounded by bristlets. Schanus 
differs from Cyperus in having only a portion of the bracts flower- 
ing in each spikelet. Chetospora differs from Schcenus in having, 
as the name implies, bristlets surrounding the fruit. Lepzdo- 
sperma, to which our flat-stemmed Sword-sedges belong, is remark- 
able for having six minute connate scales around the fruit. Carex 
is recognised by having always unisexual florets, the females pro- 
vided besides the usual bract with two connate enclosing bracteoles. 
This may suffice to show to some extent, on what notes the generic 
distribution of the cyperaceous plants is founded. The genera 
above mentioned, except Lepidosperma, which is nearly endemically 
Australian, are represented in almost all countries. Lepido- 
sperma gladiatum, the great Swords-edge of our coasts, furnishes 
an admirable material for writing-paper ; but as a rule the direct 
use of cyperaceous plants is very limited, most of them being too 
harsh to be available for fodder unlike a multitude of nutritious 
tender grasses. In one respect however they fulfil important 
functions in the economy of nature, which has created all organisms 
for their destined purposes. On swamps and in bogs cyperaceous 
plants take largely possession of the ground and in unceasing 
growth assimilate from air, water and soil their food, which in 
the annual decay of portions of the plants is stored up on the 
spot, forming soil for final occupation of pastoral or otherwise 
utilitarian vegetation. 
Grasses comprise the most important alimentary plants of the 
whole globe, whether for man or for that portion of the animal crea- 
