702 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



agreeable odoure. This fragrance is due to the presence of volatile oils, of 

 which several are used medicinally, and in perfnmeiy. There is some uncer- 

 tainty, however, as to the particular species which yield the different oils. 

 The precious Spikenard Oil of Scripture is supposed by some authors to have 

 been derived from A.Iu-avancusa. The oil known in India as Roshe or Ros6 

 Oil, and in London as Turkish Essence of Geranium, and Oil of Geranium or 

 Gingergrass, is employed in Turkey to adulterate Otto of Rose. (See Pelar- 

 gonium and Rosa.) It is also sometimes termed oil of spikenard. 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 aroma- 

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

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

 cane of the Bible. Andropogon (Cymbopogon) citratum, Indian Lemon Grass, 

 is the source of Lanon-Grass Oil. It is largely cultivated in Ceylon and in 

 gardens in India. Lemon -Grass Oil is much employed in perfumery under 

 the name of oil of verbena, from its odour resembling the Sweet Verbena or 

 Lemon Plant of our gardens. (See Aloysia citriodora.) It is spoken highly 

 of in India as an external application in rheumatism, &c., and for internal 

 use in cholera. It possesses stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, and dia- 

 phoretic properties. 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 produce of Andropogon (Ci/mbopogon) A'^ardus. It is em- 

 ployed in perfumery in England, &c., and in its medical properties it closely 

 resembles Lemon-Grass Oil. A.pachnodes is the supposed source of the oil 

 known in India as Rusa-ka-tel. It has similar properties and uses to the two 

 preceding volatile oUs. A. wiwrn-a///.? has fragrant roots, which are known 

 under the names of Khus-Khus, Vetivei't, and Vittie-vayr. Vetivert is im- 

 ported into this country, and elsewhere, and used for scenting baskets, &c. 

 It is also repvited in India to possess stimulant diaphoretic properties. It 

 likewise yields a volatile oil of an agreeable odour. (See also Holcus.) 



Anthistiria.—A. australis is the "Kangaroo Grass" of Australia. A. 

 ciliata is an esteemed Indian fodder-grass. 



Arundo Phragmites, the Common Reed.— The ciilmsof this and some other 

 species are much used for thatching and other useful purposes. 



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

 species are cultivated in the north of Europe, &c., on account of the grains 

 (fruits), which are caUed Oats. These are extensively used as food for man 

 and other animals. Oats deprived of their husk and coarsely ground form 

 Oatmeal. "When divested of their husk and integuments, they are called 

 Groats ; and these when crushed constitute Emhden and Prepared Groats. 

 Oats are also employed for the production of alcohol. 



Bambusa. — B. arundinacea, the Bamboo, and other species of Bambusa, are 

 applied to many useful purposes in warm climates and elsewhere, (jrood 

 paper is made from them in India, China, &c. The bamboo has been also 

 largely exported from the West Indies to America, &c., for the purpose 

 of being manufactured into paper, and some of very good quality has 

 been made from it. The very young shoots are boiled and eaten like 

 Asparagus, and are also used for pickles and sweetmeats. Their hollow 

 stems are variously employed. In India and China the leaves are re- 

 puted to possess emmenagogue properties. 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 j'oung 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 purposes — for water-pipes, fishing-rods, 

 for making hats, shields, umbrellas, soles of shoes, baskets, ropes, paper, 

 scaffolding-poles, trellis-work, sails, covers of boats, 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. 



Coix lachryma is remarkable for its hard stony fruits, called Job's tears, 

 which are used for beads. They are also reputed to be diuretic. 



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



