GLUMACE^. 697 



50 or 60 feet. Grasses usually grow together in large masses, 

 and thus form the verdure of great tracts of soil ; and hence 

 they have been termed social plants. Examples: — Orj'za, 

 Phalaris, Panicum, Paspalum, Stipa, Agrostis, Arundo, Gy- 

 nerium, Pappophorum, Chloris, Avena, Festuca, Bambusa, 

 Ti-iticum, Secale, Hordeum, ^gylops, Rottbcellia, Saccharum, 

 Andropogon. There are 300 genera, and probably about 3800 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of all the Orders in the Vegetable 

 Kingdom this is the most important to man, as it affords his 

 principal food, and is eminently serviceable in other respects, by 

 supplying fodder for cattle, sugar, and other useful products. 

 The native countries of our more important Cereals or Corn 

 producing plants are altogether unknown. A few of the 

 Grasses yield fragrant volatile oils. Almost aU grasses are 

 wholesome, but one or more species of Bromus have been re- 

 puted erroneously to be purgative, and one, Lolium temukntum^ 

 is said to be narcotic and poisonous. The powerful proper- 

 ties of the last grass would appear to be due to its becoming 

 ergotised, as its described effects upon the system closely re- 

 semble those produced by the common ergot. 



Oryxa sativa is the Rice plant, the grain of which is more largely used for 

 food than that of any other cereal. Starch of good quality, known as Jones' 

 Patent Rice Starch, and Mechlin Glaze Starch, are largely prepared from 

 rice. From 40 to 50 varieties of the Rice plant are known and cultivated. 

 Rice appears to be less nutritive than the other cereal grains, and to be of a 

 more binding nature, hence its use in diarrhoea, &c. Spirit is sometimes dis- 

 tilled from the fermented infusion of rice. This spirit is frequently called 

 arrack, but that name is properly used only in reference to the spirit distilled 

 from Palm wine. 



Zizania aquatica yields a serviceable grain known as Canada Rice or Swamp 

 Rice. 



Zea Mays is the Indian Corn or Maize Plant. The grain is extensively 

 used in warm countries. It is the most fattening of all the cereals, but it fre- 

 quently produces diarrhoea. Maize meal is soli under the name of polenta. 

 In South America a kind of beer, called Chica or Maize Beer is extensively 

 used. In Western Africa, a favourite fermented beverage is also prepared 

 from Maize, called pitto or peto. 



Coix lachryma is remarkable for its hard stony fruits, which are used 

 for beads. They are reputed to be diuretic. They are known as Job's 

 tears. 



Phalaris canariensis, Canary-grass, is cultivated for its grain, which is 

 employed as a food for birds, under the name of canary seed. Its straw is 

 also valued as a fodder for horses. 



Holcus — H. saccharatus or Sorghum saccharatum, is called the North 

 China Sugar-cane or Sweet Sorgho. It is cultivated in China and other parts 

 for the purpose of extracting its sugar. It is said to yield from 10 to 15 per 

 cent, of sugar. Its grain is eaten in Africa, and is termed Dochna. The 

 plant has been lately introduced into this country, and is highly recommended 

 by some, for cultivation as a summer forage for cattle, but at present, our 

 knowledge respecting it, will not allow of our drawing any positive con- 

 clusions upon its merits. H. Sorghum, Sorghuyn vulgare, or Andropogon 

 Sorghum, of which there are several varieties, is extensively cultivated in 

 Africa, India, &c., for the sake of its grain, which is known as Guinea Corn, 

 Durra, Turkish Millet, and Jaar. This grain is much used as food in warm 

 countries. In this country it has been employed for feeding poultry. The 

 stalks are used in the manufacture of carpet-brooms, whisks, &c. A kind of 

 beer called Bouza is prepared from the grains. 



