DESCRIPTIONS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 203 



292. (278) Arthrostylidium Rupr. Rachilla articulate 

 and readily separating at the joints ; spikelets in racemes 

 or one-sided spikes, these arranged in tufts at the culm- 

 nodes ; leaves without distinct cross-veins. Tall shrubs 

 and climbers. 



Species twelve, in tropical America. The lowest 

 culm-joint of A. Schomburgkii Munro, which may be 5 m. 

 long, furnishes the dreaded " blow-gun" from which the 

 natives of Guiana shoot their poisoned arrows. A. excel- 

 sum Griseb., of Trinidad and Dominica, attains the 

 height of 25 m. and a diameter of 30 cm. A. capiHifo- 

 lium Griseb., of Cuba, has leaves as fine as horse-hair, 

 6 cm. long. A. Quexo (Aulonemia Goudot), of Colombia, 

 is remarkable in its loose panicles. 



293. (279) Phyllostachys Sieb. et Zuccar. Spikelets in 

 short, loosely paniculate spikes which have a very pecul- 

 iar appearance on account of the large imbricated leaves 

 covering their bases, 1-4-flowered ; empty glumes 2-3 ; 

 style one with three feathery stigmas. Stems arbores- 

 cent, semi-terete ; nodes prominent and leaves netted- 

 veined. 



Species four, in Japan, China, and the Himalayas. 

 The black-stemmed species cultivated in European 

 gardens under the name of " Bambusa nigra" Lodd., 

 whose flowers are unknown, probably belongs here. 

 The graceful culms are used for walking-sticks ("pepper- 

 canes"). 



294. (280) Athroostachys Benth. Spikelets one-flow- 

 ered, in dense, globose heads, subtended by enveloping 

 leaves ; empty glumes two, short ; styles two. 



Species one {A. capitata Benth.), a suffrutescent 

 climber of Brazil. Mouth of the sheath with long, stiff 

 bristles. 



295. (281) Merostachys Spreng. Spikelets with 3-4 

 empty glumes, the lowest of which is very small ; flower- 

 ing glumes chartaceous ; palea many-nerved, with the 

 rachilla prolonged beyond it and occasionally bearing a 

 bract ; styles two. Tall shrubs or climbing plants, with 

 leaves indistinctly netted-veined. Spikes unilateral like 

 those of the CMoridece. 



