BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 761 



76. Reed-mace, or Gat's-tail. — Typha, 



This is commonly found in all the lagoons. The leaves are long 

 and enliformed. They make excellent mats. The feeds have a 

 flupifying quality ; and, when pounded and mixed with butter, or 

 other proper fubflance, deftroy mice. 



An unguent is prepared of them, with hog's lard, for burns, or 

 fcalds. The feeds are efculent, roafted. 



yy. Scotch-grass. — Pan'icum majus. 



This grafs obtained its name from a part of Barbadoes, called 

 Scotland; from whence it was originally brought. It thrives lux- 

 uriantly in all low, marfliy places, and in the brackifli rivers. It is 

 propagated by the joints, fet in holes, placed about two feet and an 

 lialf afunder. In fix months, from the time of planting, it is fit to 

 cut ; and continues to be cut every month, or fix weeks, after, if the 

 feafons are favourable, and the land cleared of weeds. An acre of 

 proper foil, well-flocked with this plant, near the towns, has been 

 computed to yield, in feafonable years, a profit of above 120/.; 

 which is fuperior to the yielding of the fugar-cane, or almofl any 

 other vegetable production that is cultivated here. 



When once planted, it holds for many years j but young joints 

 mud be occafionally fet, in the room of the old, ftubbed, and hard 

 ftalks. It is a hearty fodder for horfes, or cattle. 



fGuiNEY CoR^7. — Pan'icum er eel urn maximum, paniculd 

 S J Singular}. 

 ' ' j GuiNEY Wheat. — Panician eredlum maximum, patiiculis 

 [ plurimis. 



The former of thefe is more univerfally cultivated, and thrives 

 well in the favannah lands. The grain of both fpecies is fimilar in' 

 appearance, and of the millet-kind. It yields a fine, white flour, 

 very nourifhing, and conftitutcs a principal part of the food of tho 

 Negroes, It is likewife the proper grain for poultry ; and fome- 

 times is given to horfes and hogs, but to very little purpofe, being 

 fo fmall, that it pafles through them entire. The ftalks are an ex- 

 cellent fodder, and, when dried, may be laid up in a rick, for the 

 Vol.. III. 5 E ufc 



