POA. 271 



It is a gigantic Sedge, 10-15 feet higli, surmounted by a compound 

 umbel of numerous rays and bracts. Its s}3reading rhizomes have 

 helped to consolidate the mud of the Delta. Its tall, stout culms were 

 used in making boats, baskets, ropes, and fuel, as the name implies 

 (Gr. pao, to feed, pyr, fire). The earliest and rudest paper (hence the 

 name) was manufactured from its pith — the cellular tissue which fills 

 its culms.* Its graceful form affords a favorite theme for artists. 



Scientific Terms.— Androgynous. Beak. Equitant. Glumes. 

 Innate anther. Monoecious. Orifice. Perigynium. Spikes. 



LXXII. THE GRASSES. 



Description. — These modest and useful plants are every- 

 where at hand, mantling the hills, meadows, and val- 

 le^^s with their soft, uniform green, beginning to open 

 their colorless flowers early in June or sooner. A variety of 

 such specimens is before us to-day, unpromising indeed. 

 But we cannot fail to find the examination full of profit 

 and agreeable surprise. Our cuts represent three common 

 Grasses, with flowers simultimcous, and quite dissimilar. 



Analysis (generic). — The ^oot of all these is inaxinl 

 (no tap root), consisting of many strong fibers taking a firm 

 hold of the soil and helping to bind it into a matted turf. 



The Ste??l is somewhat enlarged or bulbous at the base, 

 terete above, conspicuously jointed at intervals, hollow oifs- 

 tular between the joints. Stems of this kind are called culms. 



The Jjeaves are alternate, parallel-veined, constructed 

 in 3 parts. The lower part, from the joint upward, is the 

 sheath, answering to petiole, enfolding the stem with edges 

 overlapping beyond — not united. The blade is strictly 

 linear. At the junction of the sheath and the blade is a 

 short membrane called Jiguley answering to stipules. 



* The mode of preparing this paper was very simple. The stem was peeled and 

 the pith cut lengthwise into thin slices. The«e were then laid side by side with their 

 edges touching, ai.a sprinkled with the muddy water of the Nile. Anotlier row of 

 pith-slices was then laid transversely upon the first, and by pressure the whole mass 

 united into a compact sheet 



