88 THE TRUE GRASSES. 



separable pericarp. Embryo and hilum not visible on 

 the outside. Stigmas united. 



Species one, with two varieties — Z. miliaeea Doll & 

 Ascli. [(Zizania miliaeea Mx.j] in Brazil and the Southern 

 United States. 



83. (40) Zizania L. (Hydropyrum Link, Melinum Link). 

 A reed-like grass with broad leaves aud large panicles 

 which are ? and narrow, with the branches somewhat 

 appressed above, and $ and expanded below. ? spike- 

 lets almost subulate, awned, supported on thick pedicels. 

 $ awnless, lanceolate. Fruit a caryopsis 2 cm. long and 



1 mm. thick, pericarp thin ; embryo very long, concealed 

 in a furrow, with large epiblast, plumule pedicellate. 



Species one, Z. aquatica L. (Z. palustris Link and Hy- 

 dropyrum esculentum Link), " Tuscarora rice" or " Indian 

 rice," which grows upon the banks of streams and lakes 

 in North America and Northeastern Asia. The Indians 

 annually collect the fruit in quantities for food ; they 

 also sow the seed in order to provide for farther exten- 

 sion of the plants. Lately it has been sown in fish-ponds, 

 for the fruit, when it falls, is eagerly eaten by the fish.* 

 The Asiatic form (Z. laiifolia Turcz.) is only a variety. 



84. (42) Potamophila Brown. S]3ikelets lanceolate, 

 awnless, in long panicles whose lower branches bear the 



$ (with distinct staminodia in the flowers) and the 

 upper the $ or $ spikelets. Fruit spherical. 

 Species one (P. parviflora Brown), in Australia. 



85. (42) Maltebrunia Kunth. Like the preceding, but 

 with all the spikelets . Leaves broader, almost petiolate. 



Species two, in Madagascar and Cape Colony. 



86. (44) Oryza L. {Padia Zolling & Mor.). Spike- 

 lets elongated ; empty glumes of two small scales or 

 bristles, and underneath these two more minute rudi- 

 mentary empty glumes. Flowering glume complicate 

 and keeled, usually awned ; palea narrow, one-nerved. 



*Tke stems are used by coopers for making the joints of barrels 

 intended to hold whiskey or petroleum perfectly tight. The tidal mud 

 along the Delaware River for fifty miles bears a heavy growth of Z. aqua- 

 tica (locally called " The Reeds"), and the fruit furnishes the food of 

 the Reed-bird, giving it the flavor for which it is so much esteemed. 



