COUCH- GEASS WHEAT. 331 



changing colour before the seed, so that we have Red Wheat 

 with white straw, &c. All the true Wheats have the seed free 

 from the chaff. Scientific men have named a district in Asiatic 

 Russia as the native country of the Wheat, but the fact seems 

 scarcely established ; and the recent discovery of a similar 

 plant by Stuart when crossing the interior of New South 

 Wales raises a question whether its home be not there. It 

 has been a familiar plant in cultivation in most countries and 

 in remote periods, but nowhere has it become naturalised 

 through cultivation. 



Both the Egyptians and the Jews used Wheat. At the time 

 of the Exodus " the Wheat and the Rye were not smitten, 

 for they were not grown up." And David, lamenting the in- 

 stability of his people, says, " He should hare fed them also 

 with the finest of the Wheat." Theophrastus and Pliny make 

 frequent mention, of Wheat, for it was used among the Greeks 

 and Romans. It flourishes in the temperate regions, and is to 

 them what Maize and Rice are to tropical countries. Wheat 

 contains the largest portion of gluten of any of the cereals ; 

 its value as food is very great, forming the chief strength of 

 the " staff of life." The straw serves for food for cattle, and 

 is made into bonnets, hats, &c. 



The Spelts are distinguished by the chaff adhering to the 

 grain so strongly as only to be separated in the mill. Spelt 

 has a parallel compressed spike, while Wheat has a four- 

 cornered spike. 



Couch-grass (Triticum repens,^. 14), is the principal species 

 of the third division of the Triticums. Though stigmatised as 

 a corn-weed, and as such rooted-out and burned, this Grass 

 has some valuable qualities ; its creeping root is exceedingly 

 nutritious when boiled, and in times of famine our forefathers 

 were glad to be indebted to it for subsistence. The boiled 

 roots of Couch-grass make excellent food for pigs. It is a tall 

 Grass with five-flowered spikelets and flat leaves. 



The Sea Wheat-grass (T. jiinceum), works along with the 



