138 HEXANDRIA. 



the genus. Rice is an annual plant, having a culm from one 

 to six feet in length, which is simple, erect, jointed, and 

 round. The leaves embrace the stalk, and are reflected. 

 The flowers and fruit are in a large terminating panicle. 

 The varieties of Rice, as is the case with other cultivated 

 grains, are as numerous as the soils, climates, and othei 

 circumstances under which it grows. It is cultivated in 

 great abundance in most parts of India, and is the chief arti- 

 cle of food for the native inhabitants. In China, two crops 

 are said to be raised in a year from the same ground. It 

 is there sown chiefly on low ground, which is inundated at 

 a certain season by. a river. The mud thus deposited keeps 

 the soil sufficiently rich to ensure good crops from year to 

 year. In Java, and some other eastern countries, what is 

 called the mountain Rice, is grown upon the hills, where 

 no water comes except the usual rains. In Southern 

 States, and especially in the Carolinas, large quantities of 

 this grain are raised for exportation, and in Europe this is 

 considered by far superior to that from India, or any other 

 country. This is the only genus of the least importance in 

 this order. 



ORDER III. TRIGYNIA. Stamens 6. Styles 3. 



Dock, (Rumex,) and Meadow Saffron, (Colchicum,) are 

 the principal genera of this order. 



GENUS Colchicum. Meadow Saffron. The name is de- 

 rived from Colchis, where it is said this plant anciently grew 

 in abundance. There are several species of this genus, but 

 the only one of any consequence is the common Meadow 

 Saffron, (Colchicum autumnale,) which grows wild in the 

 meadows of England and other parts of Europe. It is a 

 bulbous root, with a stem about four inches Fig. IBS. 

 high, which bears a- single purple flower, with 

 five petals. See figure 163. Leaves linear, 

 lanceolate, and radical. The bulb is about the 

 size of that of a Tulip, and has from time out 

 of mind, been considered as poisonous in 

 large doses, but has been known and employ- 

 ed as a medicine ever since the days of Hip- 

 pocrates. At the present day it is chiefly used in cases of 

 rheumatism. 



What is said of rice as an article of food ? What is said of the genus 

 colchicum ? 



