TUSSAC-GBASS. 329 



pared with the Pampas-grass of America with its towering 

 stems, or to the Tussac-grass of the Falkland Islands. This 

 Grass forms balls round its roots, five or six feet high, and 

 from the top of these rise the stems and leaves ; the latter 

 drooping to the extent of seven feet. The Grass grows in tufts 

 some distance apart from one another. There are no trees in 

 these islands, nor any bushes larger than our Furze, so the 

 Tussac is much valued. It fattens cattle very rapidly ; the 

 roots are sweet and good for food, resembling fine Cabbage 

 in taste when boiled ; and building cement is formed of the 

 chopped Grass mingled with clay. This tribe of plants is 

 interesting as the first green things which God created. "And 

 God said, Let the earth bring forth Grass." " He causeth 

 Grass to grow for the cattle." Grass is often used in Scripture 

 as a type of the evanescence of all human things. "All flesh is 

 Grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field ; 

 the Grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of our 

 God shall stand for ever." And more especially of the short 

 continuance of the wicked : " When the wicked spring as the 

 Grass, and all the workers Of wickedness do flourish, it is that 

 they shall be destroyed." " The Lord shall smite Israel like a 

 Reed shaken by the wind." But, although such solemn truths 

 are associated with the Grass of the field, yet its presence is 

 ever a proof of the kind providence of God, and as such must 

 both assure and cheer us. An American poet has interpreted 

 pleasantly, " The voice of the Grass." 



" Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere ; 

 By the dusty roadside, 

 On the sunny hillside, 

 Close by the noisy brook, 

 In every shady nook, 

 I come creeping, creeping everywhere. 



" Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere ; 

 All round the open door, 

 "Where sit the aged poor, 

 Here, where the children play 

 In the bright and merry May, 

 I come creeping, creeping everywhere.' 



