GLOIACE-B, 699 



the absence of any important properties. Some are slightly 

 aromatic, stomachic, and diaphoretic; others demulcent and 

 alterative, and a few have been used for economic purposes. The 

 underground stems of certain species are edible when roasted or 

 boiled. Some of the species by spreading through the sand of 

 the sea-shore, and in this way binding it together, prevent it 

 from being washed away by the receding waves, and thus also 

 protect the neighbouring coast from encroachments of the sea. 



Carex. — The creeping stems of C. arenaria and some allied species have 

 been used medicinally as substitutes for sarsaparilla, under the name of 

 German Sarsaparilla. C. hiiia, C. pnecox, and others are known in dif- 

 ferent districts under the name of " Carnation Grass." They have errone- 

 ously been supposed to cause the disease termed " Rot " in sheep. 



Cyperus.—The rhizomes, tubers, or corms of C. longus, C. rotundus, C. 

 pertenuis, and C, escitlentus, have been employed in medicine, and regarded as 

 aromatic tonics, diaphoretics, dim-etics, and astringents. The corms of C. 

 escitlentus are also used as food in the South of Europe, and when roasted 

 have been proposed as substitutes for coffee and cocoa. The boiled corms 

 of C. hidbosus are al5o edible, and are said to taste like potatoes. C. iextilis 

 is used for making ropes, &c., in India. 



Eriophovum. — The species of this genus are commonly known under the 

 name of Cotton-grasses, from their fniits being surrounded by cottony or 

 downy hairs. These haii-s are sometimes used for stuffing cushions, &c. 

 Their leaves are reputed to possess astringent properties. 



Papyrus. — P. anliquorum appears to be the Bulrush of the Xile. It is ce- 

 lebrated on account of the soft cellular substance in the interior of its stems 

 having been in common use by the ancients for making a kind of paper. The 

 sheets of papyrus paper are remarkable for their durability. The Papyrus 

 was also used for making ropes, boats, mats, &c. A Sicilian species, P. si- 

 aila, has likewise been employed for making paper. P. corymbosus is exten- 

 sively used in IncUa for the manufacture of the celebrated Indian matting. 



(Scj/7)M5.— Various species of this genus, as .S'. lacustris andi S. Taberncemon- 

 iani, &,c., are much employed, like the common Rushes, for mats, chair- 

 bottoms, baskets, &;c., and also by coopers for filling up the intervals in the 

 seams of casks. They are commonly known as Club-Rushes or Bulrushes. 

 The root of S. iacustris was formerly used as an astringent and diuretic. 



Natural Order 285. Geaminaceje. — The Grass Order {figs. 

 1081-1087). — Character. — Herbs, shrubs, or arborescent 

 plants, with round commonly hollow {fig. 179) jointed stems. 

 Leaves alternate, with split sheaths {figs. 348, g, and 1081), 

 and a ligule at the base of the lamina {fig. 348, lig). Flowers 

 perfect or unisexual, arranged in spiked {fig. 392), panicled 

 {fig. 393), or racemose locustpe ; or solitary. No true perianth, 

 its place being supplied by imbricated bracts, of which there 

 are commonly 2, called glumes, or rarely 1, at the base of the 

 solitary flower, or at the base of each locusta {figs. 379 and 

 1082, gl, gl, and 1083, ge,gi). Occasionally the glumes are altoge- 

 ther absent. Each flower is also usually furnished with two other 

 alternate bracts {palea) {figs. 1083, _p<?, pi, and 1085 and 1086), 

 or sometimes the inner palea /» i is wanting ; and 2 or 3 scales 

 {lodieulcB or glumellides) {figs. 1082, p,]), and 1084, p), the latter 

 also are occasionally absent. Stamens 1 — 6 or more, frequently 

 3 {figs. 1084-1086); filainents capillary {figs. 488 and 1085); 

 anthers versatile {figs. 488 and 587). Ovary superior {fig. 1084), 

 1 -celled, with a solitary ascending ovule ; stigmas feathery or 



