33 



ing spring and summer. It does not, however, withstand drought as well as inillo 

 maize or kaflir corn, aiid it died completely during our seventy-live days of drought 

 last fall. I have a few seeds whieh were matured on the grounds of Mr. George W. 

 Benson, in the open air, at Marietta, Ga. He ripened seeds two years ago on a fow 

 plants which were forced in early spring and transplanted to the open ground. Last 

 year this seed was planted, in the open ground, and produced the plants which ma- 

 tured the seed which I have. He seems thus to have succeeded in acclimating the 

 plant, which is therefore likely to prove a valuable acquisition. 



(Plate 22.) 



ZIZANIA. 



Zizaiiia aquatica (Wild Eice ; Indian Rice). 



Its ordinary growth is from 5 to 10 feet high, with a thick, spongy stem, and abun- 

 dant long and broad leaves. The panicle is pyramidal in shape, 1 to 2 feet loug, and 

 widely branching below. The upper branches are rather appressed and contaiu the 

 fertile flowers, while the lower branches contaiu only stamiuate ones. The spikelets 

 are one-flowered, each with one pair of external husks or scales, which are by some 

 botanists called glumes, and by others called palets. These husks or glumes in the 

 fertile flower are nearly or quite an inch long, with an awn or beard as long, or twice 

 as long. The grain inclosed between them is half an inch long, slender and cylin- 

 drical. The glumes of the stamiuate flowers are about half an inch long and without 

 awns, each flower containing six stamens. These flowers fall off soon after they ex- 

 pand. The fertile flowers also drop very readily as soon as the grain is ripened. 



This is botauically related to the common commercial rice ( Oryza sativa) 

 but is very different in general appearance. It is widely diffused over 

 North America, and is found in Eastern Siberia and Japan. Tt grows 

 on the muddy banks of rivers and lakes, both near the sea and far in- 

 land, sometimes in water 10 feet or more deep, forming patches or mead- 

 ows covering many acres or extending for miles. 



The grass abounds in the small lakes of Minnesota and the North- 

 west, and is there gathered by the Indians for food. The husk is re- 

 moved by scorching with fire. It is a very palatable and nutritious 

 grain. Some attempts have been made to cultivate the grass, but the 

 readiness of the seed to drop must interfere with a successful result. 



Near the sea- coast multitudes of reed-birds resort to the marshes, 

 where it grows, and fatten upon the grain. The culms are sweet and 

 nutritious, and cattle are said to be very fond of the grass. It is not 

 adapted to culture on any ordinary farming land, as it will live only 

 in the presence of water. (Plate 23.) 



LEERSIA. 



The flowers grow in spreading panicles. The spikelets are sessile, on short, one- 

 sided branches or spikes. The spikelets are one-flowered, possessing but two scales, 

 which may be called glumes or palets, which are strongly compressed, without awns, 

 bristly ciliate on the keels, the lower one broader and inclosing the seed. Stamens 

 one to six ; stigmas two ; grain flattened. 



A genus of rough-leaved grasses growing for the most parfc in marshy 

 or moist ground throughout nearly all parts of the United States. There 

 are about five species, two of which are confined to the Southern States; 

 3594 GR 3 



