GLUMIFLOR^E. 287 



(utriculus, utr. in the figures) which is turned posteriorly (as. 

 the fore-leaves of the other Monocotyledons), and being obliquely 

 sheath-like, envelopes the branch (in the same manner as the sheath 

 of the vegetative leaves), and forms a pitcher-like body. In the 

 axil of this leaf the ? -flower is situated as a branch of the 3rd 

 order, bearing only the 2-3 carpels, which are united into one 

 gynceceum. The style protrudes through the mouth of the utri- 

 culus. The axis of the 2nd order (a in Fig. 285 D) may sometimes elongate as 

 a bristle-like projection (normally in Uncinia, in which it ends as a hook, 

 hence the name) ; this projection is in most cases barren, but it sometimes 

 bears 1-several bracts which support male-flowers ; this is normal in Elyna 

 (or Kohresia) and Schaenoxiphium ; the axis (a in 285 E) bears at its base a 

 female-flower supported by the utriculus, and above it a male-flower supported 

 by its bract. 



POLLINATION by means of the wind. Protogynous. Sometimes self-pollinated. 

 The order embraces nearly 3,000 species, found all over the world. Carex 

 and Scirpus are most numerous in cold and temperate climates, and become 

 less numerous towards the equator. The reverse is the case with Cijperus 

 and other tropical genera. They generally confine themselves to sour, swampy 

 districts ; some, on the other hand, are characteristic of sand-dunes, such as 

 Sand-star (Carex arenaria). There are about 70 native species of Carex. 



USES. In spite of their large number, the Cyperaceae are of no importance 

 as fodder-grasses, as they are dry and contain a large amount of silica ; hence 

 the edges of many of the triangular stems or leaves are exceedingly sharp 

 and cutting. Ct/perus esculentus has tuberous rhizomes, which contain a large 

 amount of fatty oil and are edible (earth-almonds) ; it has its home in the 

 countries of the Mediterranean, where it is cultivated. 



Cijperus papyrus (W. Asia, Egypt, Sicily) attains a height of several metres, 

 and has stems of the thickness of an arm which were used by the ancient 

 Egyptians fdr making paper (papyrus). Some serve for plaiting, mats, etc. 

 (Scirpus lacustris, etc.). Isolepi? is an ornamental plant. 



Order 3. Gramineae (Grasses). The stems are cylindrical, 

 generally hollow with swollen nodes, that is, a swelling is found at 

 the base of each leaf which apparently belongs to the stem, but in 

 reality it is the swollen base of the leaf. The leaves are exactly 

 alternate ; the sheath is split (excep. .Bromws-species, Poa pratensis, 

 P. trivialis, Melica, Dactylis, etc., in which the sheath is not split), 

 and the edges overlap alternately, the right over the left, and vice 

 versa ; the ligule is nearly always well developed. In general, the 

 flowers are hermaphrodite ; they are borne in spikelets with alternate 

 floral-leaves, and the spikelets themselves are borne in either 

 spikes or panicles. The two (seldom more) lowest floral-leaves in 

 each spikelet (Fig. 289 0Y, nY) are barren (as the covering-leaves 

 in many umbels and capitula) ; these are termed the glumes. The 



W. B. U 



