68 WHERE GRASSES GROW. 



" Of the individual plants on the great prairies of the North- 

 west, 90, yes, 99 per cent are grasses!" (Scribner). 



There are about 300 genera and 3,100 to 3,200 species. They 

 are the most abundant in the temperate zones, where they often 

 clothe large tracts with a growth which is fine, soft, and thick. 

 Here the Poacece predominate. In the tropics the Panicece are 

 prominent ; many of which are more isolated, growing singly in 

 tufts or small groups. In the temperate zones grasses are slender, 

 and seldom more than a few feet in height ; in the tropics they 

 become giant bamboos, 60 or even 170 feet high, and eight or ten 

 inches in diameter, approaching a tree in size. 



In the United States, east of the Mississippi, the grasses con- 

 stitute about one-twelfth of all the species of flowering plants. 

 A State like Michigan, Illinois, or Massachusetts, has been found 

 to contain not far from 130 species of grass. It is not uncom- 

 mon in the northern States to find 60 species within a distance of 

 a few miles of each other. 



Although very few grasses possess brilliant or aromatic flowers, 

 and look so humble and so much alike, there are few plants 

 which are more beautiful in "all stages of growth, whether 

 examined one by one or in masses ; with the naked eye or with 

 the microscope." (American Agriculturist, 97, 1852.) 



Who has not admired a gently rolling field as the wind swept 

 over the even tops of thick grain ? What view surpasses a field 

 of waving grass, or a closely shaven lawn? Grass is "a thing of 

 beauty and a joy forever.'' It even beautifies the grave, spread- 

 ing a green carpet over the remains of friends gone before. 



" Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere; 



By the rusty roadside, 



On the sunny hillside, 



Close by the noisy brook, 



In every shady nook, 

 I come creeping, creeping everywhere." (Sarah Roberts.) 



