84 THE CHINESE SUGAR CANE. 
it presents a tall straight stalk, marked at intervals with 
knots or nodes, and from these, on alternate sides of the 
plant, spring long, spreading, tapering, and drooping 
leaves. The stalk very gradually decreases in diameter 
from the base to the top. Its outer coating is smooth 
and silicious, like the stalks of the maize, which becomes 
harder as the water and starch and the sugar of the plant 
become converted into woody fiber, and more silex is 
deposited on the outside. The seed grows upon the 
eight or ten separate stems which group together to 
form the tuft at the top of the plant; and, unlike the 
maize, this is the only fruit produced by the plant. When 
the tassel first emerges from its sheath, the seeds are 
nothing but a soft green husk, which by degrees, and in 
“Tf these differences shall eventually render the genera sufficiently 
distinct to establish a universally recognized separation, then this plant 
must be placed under that of Sorghum. 
“The specific name is a matter of some doubt. Both S. vulgare 
and S. saccharatum are recorded as distinct species ; but there is fre- 
quently a query appended to the latter. Some of our best authorities 
incline to the opinion that these two are identical, the differences be- 
tween them being due to the long cultivation which the plant has un- 
dergone. We know that some of the grasses have sported into nume- 
rous varieties ; and it is very probable that the Broom Corn, Doura 
or Guinea Corn, and the Chinese Sugar Cane, are all descended from 
one and the same stock. 
“Tf we accept this as a fact, then the plant should be called Sor- 
GHUM VULGARE, Pers. var. saccharatum, L. ; but as the latter name is 
so extensively known, and as there is still some doubt as to the ident- 
ity, it may be as well to continue the name Sorghum saccharatum. 
“The true Sugar Cane, Saccharum officinarum, belongs to the same 
tribe of grasses, differing in the ample inflorescence, which is paniculate, 
and drooping with downy pedicles and florets.” 
