698 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



210). Stems solid, without joints or partitions, frequently angular 

 {fig. 1075). Leaves without ligules, and with closed tubular 

 sheaths roiind the stem {fig. 1075). Flowers spiked, imbricated, 

 perfect {fig. 1078) or unisexual {figs. 1076 and 1077), each aris- 

 ing from the axil of 1 — 3 bracts or glumes. The lowermost glumes 

 are frequently empty or without flowers in their axils. Ptrkmth 

 absent, or existing in the female flowers in the form of a tube 

 (perigynium) {fig. 1077, u), or as hypogynous scales, or bristles 

 {fig. 1078, b). Stamens hypogynous {fig. 1078), 1 — 12, commonly 



Fig. 1079. 



Fig. 1080. 



Fig. 1078. Hermaphrodite flower of a species of Club-rush (Scirpus), the 

 slumehaving been removed, b. Hypogynous setse or bristles forming a 

 kind of periantii. st. Hypogynous stamens with 2-celIed innate anthers. 



o. Ovary, s. Style, stig. Stigmas. Fig. 1079. Vertical section of the 



fruit of a species of Carex. s. Pericarp, ie. Spermoderm. alb. Albumen. 



pi. Embryo. Fig. 1080. Embryo of a species of Carex removed from 



the albumen, a. Lateral swelling, r. Radicle, c. Cotyledon. /. Slit 

 corresponding to the plumule. 



3 {figs. 1076 and 1078) ; anthers 2-celled, innate {figs. 1076 and 

 1078). Ovary 1-celled, superior {fig. 1078), with 1 erect anatro- 

 pous ovule. i^r^wY indehiscent, 1-seeded (j^^. 1079). Seed with. 

 fleshy or mealy albumen {fig. 1079, alh) ; emhryo lenticular {figs. 

 1079,_2J^,and 1080), enclosed in the base of the albumen {fig, 1079). 



JDistrihution, ^'C. — Natives of all parts of the world, and 

 found especially in marshes, ditches, and about running streams. 

 Examjiles of the Genera : — Carex, Rhyncospora, Schoenus, Cla- 

 dium, Scirpus, Papyrus. There are about 2,000 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Although closely allied in their bota- 

 nical characters to the Graminacese, the Cyperacese are alto- 

 gether deficient in the nutritive and other qualities which render 

 the plants of that order so eminently serviceable to man and 

 other animals. Indeed the order generally is remarkable for 



