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THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



4. TYPHACE.E (Bull-rush kind). 



Bull-rush. 



The Typhaceae are the Bull-rush 

 tribe, having the Typha latifolia 

 or great Reed-mace for its cha- 

 racteristic member. It grows 

 in ditches and marshy places. 

 The young shoots of the Bull- 

 rush, which resemble asparagus, 

 are eaten by the Cossacks as 

 food. 



5. MELANTHACE^; (Colchicum kind). 



This includes many plants which 

 have bulbous roots, some of 

 them being poisonous. The 

 Colchicum autumnale, or Mea- 

 dow Saffron, is the type of this 

 order ; it grows in moist mea- 

 dows, producing a purple flower 

 which appears before the leaves. 

 The root or bulb, and the seeds, 

 are used in medicine. 



Meadow Saffron. 



