GLUMACE-E. 699 



T. Spelta, Spelt; T. polonicum, Polish Wheat, &c. Wheat is enormously 

 used ill this and some other countries in the manufacture of bread, and for 

 its starch. Various nutritious foods are also prepared from wheat, as Semo- 

 lina, Soujee, Manna Croup, Hard's Farinaceous Food, Vermicelli, Maccaroni, 

 Cagliari or Italian Paste, &c. 



Secale cereale. Common Rye, is much cultivated in the northern parts of 

 the world for its grains, which are extensively employed for bread. Rye 

 bread retains its freshness for a much longer time than wheaten bread. Quass 

 or Rye Beer is a favourite drink in Russia. Rye is also used by the distillers. 

 When roasted it has been employed as a substitute for coffee. Rye is subject 

 to a disease called Ergot, produced by the attack of fungi (see Cordyceps), 

 when its grains assume an elongated and curved form. The diseased 

 grains are commonly known as Ergot of Rye or Spurred Rye, which in certain 

 doses is poisonous to man and other animals. Medicinally, ergot is given to 

 excite uterine contractions in labour, and for other purposes. 



Hordeum, Barley. — Several species or varieties are commonly cultivated 

 in cold and temperate climates for their grain ; as H. distichon. Two-rowed 

 or Long-eared Barley ; H.vulgare, Bere, Bigg, Four-rowed or Spring Barley; 

 H. hexastichon, Six-rowed Barley, and H. zeocitron. Sprat or Battledore Barley. 

 Barley is used dietetically in the manufacture of bread, and in the form of 

 malt, most extensively in the production of ale, beer, and ardent spirits. It is 

 the common grain in use for the latter purposes in this country. Barley 

 deprived of its husk, constitutes Scotch, Hulled, or Pot Barley. When both 

 husk and integuments are removed, and the seeds rounded and polished, they 

 form Pearl Barley, and this when ground is called Patent Barley. 



JEgylops ovata. — This grass has lately become celebrated in consequence of 

 M. Esprit Fabre having stated, that the varieties of cultivated Wheat were 

 derived from it. This is not strictly correct, for the plants grown by M. 

 Fabre, and the grains of which ultimately assumed the form of cultivated 

 Wheat, were produced by hybridization between a species of Triticum and 

 JEgylomovata, the result being the formation of a variety of JEgylops, called 

 JEgylops triticoides. The seeds of this by cultivation for about twelve years 

 produce a grass -like ordinary wheat. 



Saccharum officinarurn is the Common Sugar cane, so extensively used 

 for the extraction of Cane-sugar. Molasses or Golden Syrup is the drainings 

 from raw sugar, and treacle the thick juice which has dramed from refined 

 sugar in the sugar-moulds. Caramel is burnt sugar. Stigar -candy, pulled 

 sugar, barley-sugar, hard-bake, acidulated drops, S^c, are all familiar prepa- 

 rations of sugar. By the distillation of the fermented liquid of treacle or 

 molasses, rum is obtained. 



Andropogon. — Several species of this genus are remarkable for their fra- 

 grance. This fragrance is due to the presence of volatile oils, of which several 

 are used medicinally, and in perfumery. There is much uncertainty, how- 

 ever, as to the particular species which yield the different oils. The precious 

 Spikenard Oil of Scripture is supposed by some to have been derived from 

 A. Iwarancusa. The oil known in India as Roshe or Rose Oil, and in Lon- 

 don as Turkish Essence of Geranium, and Oil of Geranium or Ginger- 

 grass, has been shown by Mr. Hanbury to be employed in Turkey to adulterate 

 Otto of Rose. {See Rosa). It is also sometimes termed o?7o/5/)/Aewa»-rf. Its 

 exact source is unknown, but it is certainly obtained from one or more species 

 of Indian Andropogons. It is reputed to be the produce of A, Calamus aro- 

 maticus. This oil is also considered by some to be identical with the grass-oil 

 of Nemaur. This plant is supposed by Royle to be the sweet calamus or 

 sweet cane of the Bible. A. citratum, Indian Lemon Grass, is probably the 

 source of the oil of lemon-grass of the shops. Oil of Lemon-grass is much 

 employed in perfumery under the name of oil of verbena, from its odour re- 

 semblingthe Sweet Verbena orLemon Plantof our gardens {Aloysia citriodora). 

 The fresh leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for tea, and the centre of 

 the stems for flavouring curries, &c. Cetronelle or Citronelle oil, is the pro- 

 duce of this or of an allied species of Andropogon. A. muricatus, Vittie-vayr 

 or Cuscus, yields a fragrant oil according to Dr. Hooker, which is much used 

 medicinally'in India, unde the name of Kuskus oil. Its root is imported into 

 this country, and used for scenting baskets, &c. Merticinally, it has been em- 

 ployed as a gentle stimulant, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, and diuretic. 



