ii.] GRAMINEjE. 241 



stipular projection at the base of the blade of the leaf, 

 where it passes into the sheath : the fruit commonly;, 

 but incorrectly, called the seed, is termed, by botanists, 

 a caryopsis. The thin pericarp is closely applied and 

 adherent to the seed. In some Grasses, as in Barley 

 and Oats, the pale, or the pale and flowering glume, 

 adhere to the caryopsis after the time of flowering, and 

 require to be removed from the grain by grinding. In 

 Wheat and Rye, the caryopsis is free, not being adherent 

 to the pale or flowering glume. 



The Grass Family is unquestionably the most im- 

 portant in the Vegetable Kingdom to the human race, 

 furnishing almost everywhere, and from the most remote 

 antiquity, the principal basis of food. Rice alone affords 

 a larger proportion of food to mankind than any other 

 single species, while in cool climates Wheat, Rye, Barley, 

 and Oats, and in warm countries Maize, Millet, and 

 Durra (Sorghutri), are universally grown. 



Wheat (Triticum vulgare). Its native country is lost, 

 as is the case with several plants which have been culti- 

 vated over a long -period. This may be owing either to 

 changes gradually introduced by cultivation, of such 

 extent that the wild parent form is not recognisable, or to 

 the original Type having become extinct. 



Some botanists have tried to show that Wheat may 

 have been derived from a South European grass, called 

 ALgilops, forms intermediate between Wheat and one or 

 two species of AZgilops having been occasionally met 

 with. There can be no doubt, however, that these inter- 

 mediates are hybrids, being usually barren, unless again 

 crossed with one of the parent grasses ; if with Wheat, 

 they produce a grain closely resembling that of the 

 latter. 



Numerous varieties of Wheat are cultivated, with and 

 without awns to the glumes and pales. The story of 

 \Vheat from the Egyptian catacombs having germinated 

 appears to have originated in a mistake. 



Maccaroni and Vermicelli are prepared from the finest 

 Wheat flour, chiefly in Italy. 



Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is considered to have been 

 the first Cereal brought under cultivation. It was grown 

 in Palestine and Egypt, and is mentioned by Homer. 



O.B. T? 



