698 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Paspalum exile yields the smallest known cereal grain. The grain is 

 known on the West Coast of Africa, where it is used as food, under the name 

 of Fundi or Fundungi. It is commonly called in Sierra Leone Millet. P. scro- 

 biculatum also yields a kind of grain, known in India as the Menya or Kodro. 

 A variety of this grass is reputed to be injurious to cattle. 



Panicum miliaceum yields Indian Millet. The grain is called Warree and 

 Kadi-kane, in the East Indies. P. spectabile, a Brazilian species, grows 6 or 

 more feet in height. It is a favourite fodder grass, and is commonly known 

 as the Angola grass. P.jumentorum is another fodder grass, called Guinea- 

 grass. P. pilosum yields a grain known in India as Bhadlee. The grain of P. 

 frumentaceum is also nutritious. It is termed Shamoolain the Deccan. Some 

 of the Tartar tribes are said to prepare a kind of beer from Millet, which is 

 called Bouza, Murwa. or Millet-beer, but this is probably prepared from a 

 species of Eleusine. (See Eleusine.) 



Setaria.—S. germanica is the source of German Millet, and S. italica, of 

 Italian Millet. These are largely used as food. 



Penicillaria spicata or Panicum spicntum, is called CafTre Corn. It yields a 

 serviceable grain, which is commonly distinguished as African Millet. 



Pennisetmn dichotomum.—The grains of this grass are known in some parts 

 of Western Africa under the name of kasheia. They are used there as food. 

 In Egypt and Arabia, this grass is employed as fodder for camels, &c., and 

 for thatching. &c. 



Stipa — S. tenacissima, a Spanish grass, was formerly used for various pur- 

 poses under the name of esparto. It has been lately highly recommended as 

 a substitute for rags in paper-making. The grain of S. pennata, Feather-grass, 

 is said to be very nutritious. 



Arundo Phragmites, the Common Reed. — The culms of this and some 

 other species are much used for thatching and other useful purposes. 



Gfjnerium argenteum is the elegant Pampas-grass. G. saccharoides, a 

 Brazilian species, contains much sugar. 



Eleusine coracana. — The grains of this plant constitute one of the Millets 

 of India. In Sikklm, a kind of beer, called vturwa or millet beer, is prepared 

 from them, and is in general use by the natives. E. Tocusso is an Abyssinian 

 plant. Its grain is used as food under the name of Tocusso. 



Poa abyssinica is an Abyssinian corn plant, known under the name of Teff. 

 The grains are sometimes employed in the preparation of Bouza or Millet 

 beer. 



Dactylis ccespitosa is the celebrated Tussac-grass of the Falkland Islands. 

 It is an excellent fodder grass for cattle and horses. It is now grown to 

 some extent in Shetland and other parts of Britain. 



Bambusa arundinacea, the Bamboo. — The species of Bambusa are ap- 

 plied to many useful purposes in warm climates and elsewhere. Good paper 

 is made from them. The very young shoots are boiled and eaten like As- 

 paragus, and are also used for pickles and sweetmeats. Their hollow stems 

 are variously employed. Dr. Hooker says, that in some districts " a very 

 large kind of Bamboo is used for water-buckets, another for quivers, a third 

 for flutes, a fourth for walking-sticks, a fifth for plaiting work (baskets), a 

 sixth for arrows ; while a larger sort serves for bows. The young shoots of 

 one or more are eaten ; and the seeds of another either raw or cooked, are 

 made into a fermented drink. In China the Bamboo is used for numerous pur- 

 poses — for water-pipes, fishing-rods, for making hats, shields, umbrellas, 

 soles of shoes, baskets, ropes, paper, scaffolding-poles, trellis-work, sails, 

 covers of l)oats, and Katamarans." The above extract will give some idea of 

 the various uses to which the Bamboos are applied. A siliceous matter is 

 commonly secreted at the joints of the Bamboo, to which the name of tabasheer 

 has been given. 



Avrna saliva is the Common Oat. — A great number of varieties of this 

 species are cultivated in the north of Europe, kc. on account of its grains, 

 which are called Oats. Thev are extensively used as food for man and other 

 animals. Oats deprived of their husk and coarsely ground form the Oatmeal 

 of Scotland. When divested of their integuments, they are called Groats; 

 and these when crushed, constitute Embden and Prepared Groats. Oats are 

 also employed for the production of alcohol. 



Triticum vulgarc is the Common Wheat. — A great many varieties of Tri- 

 ticum are cultivated, as T.testivum, Spring or Summer Wheat ; T. hybernum 

 Winter Wheat; T, cotnpositum, Egyptian Wheat, or Many-eared Wheal; 



