130 



ORDEE CM I. I'VJK. 



the next, usually with a membranous ligulo between the base ol 

 the leaf and sheath. Flowers in spikes, racemes or panicles, 

 usually perfect, in 1 -many-flowered spikelets, composed of glumc- 



Vii. 4i 



Fig. a. 



like bracts in 2 rows. Outer bracts (gluma), 2, rarely 1, often 

 unequal ; the inner 2 immediately inclosing each flower (palea), 

 alternate. Perianth none, or consisting of very small, membran- 

 ous scales (tqvamulae). Stamens 1 G, commonly 3. An- 

 thers versatile. Ovary 1-ccUed. Styles 2. Stigmas 2, 

 feathery. Fruit a caryopsis. 



A very large wid most Important order, diffused through all parts at 

 th world In the greatest abundance. The herbage famishes food far 

 cttle and other berblrorous animal*, while their seeds, known at the 

 Kf.0. Cereal Grains, form the most Important article of human sustenance. 

 None are poisonous, except a tingle species, the Darnel Grass (LoUtm\ 

 The poisonous properties of Ergot ire earned by a parasitic tangos. The Menu 

 of man/ of the species afford sugar, which ts most abundant In the different 



specie* at Bnfar-Cane (Saccka- 

 rutn), and Is found also In the 

 Indian Corn (Zen). Among the 

 trains, the most Iniimrtant are 

 the Oat (Avtna\ fig. 41, the 

 Wheat, Rye, Kice, Barley, and 

 Malm. Tie most Tamable kinds 

 for grazing purposes are Agros- 

 Va,(Rtd-to f \ rtlenro (TbwMy 



Jifriln-grau), and 

 dow and pasture Oi 

 prising especially Tarlous species 

 of Poa and Fettoca. In fig. 42 

 to represented Eragroalls mefp 



taehya, 

 most co 



, Illustrating on* of the 

 t common forms of Onuses. 

 In fig. 48 we hare a many- 

 flowered, awnless ftplkelct of a 

 Glycerls ; and In fig. 44, a many- 

 Fig. 4S. flowered aplkelet nf Brotnns, 

 with awned palen. I'snlcnin la- 

 tBbdnm. flg. 4B, to a nfiremntaUre of another tribe, whose peculiar structure Is 

 well mounted In the aplkeM of I'anlrurn Om-OalH. flg. 4, whore we hare 

 two flowers, ooe of which only to complete, the other being raduoed : 



II. 41. 



apalrorpalee,aoUiateKhlplkelethasfoarpalui,two of which are. In this 

 case, awned. In flg. 47 Is reprtMnted Klrmns V Irglnlcu, naUre example ol 

 the tribe to which the Wheat, lire, and Barter baloo 



SERIES II CRYPTOGAMIA. 



Plants without proper flowers, containing stamens and pistil*, 

 not reproduced by proper seeds containing an embryo, but by 

 spores or reproductive cells. 



CLASS 111 ACROGENS. 



Plants with a regular axis of growth, distinguished more or 

 less into root and stem, and usually into leaves also ; their struc- 

 ture made up of woody and cellular tissues, and the various ves- 

 sel* found in higher plants ; the axis increasing in height and not 

 in diameter, and all growth taking place at the terminal bud of 

 the stem or branch. 



ORDER CXLI. Equisetaceee. 



Leafless plants, with jointed, grooved ulnns cither dimple, 01 

 with verticillate branches, which are hollow and closed at the 

 joints, each terminating in a dentate sheath. Inflorescence a 

 Jense, cy'in.iri". trnniiml >|>ike, or strobile, composed of peltate, 

 lexagonal scales ; with several thcca or spore-cases 



i<lcr surface, opening longitudinally. 



numerous, with 4 elastic threads, called elaters, wrapped round 

 them. 



An <nl<-r consisting of a single genus, Eqnlsetnm (Scouring Euok, Pipa 

 1/artttait), fuunJ In damp grounds In all parts of Uio world. 



