118 CYPERACEjE. [Endogexs. 



latter sometimes appear in different species of Mariscus. Sedges approach certain 

 Restiads in the peculiar state of the flowers and in general habit. They are, however, 

 clearly distinguished from that order by their seeds being erect not pendulous, and by 

 their more complicated ovary, which is always formed by 2 or 3 carpellary leaves, 

 although enclosing only one ovule, while Restiads have but one carpellary leaf to each 

 ovule. The sheaths of the leaves of Restiads are slit, like those of Grasses. Sedges 

 stand then in the same relation to Restiads as Buckwheats to Chenopods. The 

 species are extremely difficult to determine, and the distinctive characters of the genera 

 were unsatisfactory, until Professor Nees v. Esenbeck rearranged the Order in the 

 place above quoted. 



Found in marshes, ditches, and running streams, in meadows and on heaths, in groves 

 and forests, on the blowing sands of the sea shore, on the tops of mountains, from the 

 arctic to the antarctic circle, wherever Phsenogamous vegetation can exist. Humboldt 

 remarks, that in Lapland Sedges are equal to Grasses ; but that thence, from the tempe- 

 rate zone to the equator, in the northern hemisphere, the proportion of Sedges to 

 Grasses very much diminishes. As we approach the Line, the character of the order 

 also changes : Carex, Scirpus, Schoenus, and their allies, cease to form the principal 

 mass, the room of which is usurped by multitudes of species of Cyperus, by Kyllinga, Ma- 

 li- us, and the like, genera comparatively unknown in northern regions, or at least not 

 forming any marked feature in the vegetation. A few species are common to very 

 different parts of the world, as Scirpus triqueter, Eleocharis eapitata, and Fuirena 

 umbellate, to New Holland and South America, and several Scirpi to Europe and the 

 southern hemisphere. 



While Grasses are celebrated for then' nutritive qualities, and for the abundance of 

 ftecula and sugar they contain, Sedges are little less remarkable for the frequent absence 

 of those principles : hence they are scarcely sought for by cattle. The roots of Carex 

 arenaria, disticha, and hirta, have diaphoretic and demulcent properties, on which 

 account they are called German Sarsaparilla. Those of Cyperuses are succulent, and 

 filled with a nutritive and agreeable mucilage. In Cyperus longus (the Kv-neipos of Hip- 

 pocrates) a bitter principle is superadded, which gives its roots a tonic and stomachic 

 quality. The tubers of Cyperus hexastachyus or rotundus are said by General Hard- 

 wicke to be administered successfully in cases of cholera by Hindoo practitioners, who 

 call the plant Mootha. Those of C. pertenuis, or Nagur-Mootha, are, when dried and 

 pulverised, used by Indian ladies for scouring and perfuming their hair. The root of 

 Cyperus odoratus has a warm aromatic taste, and is given in India, in infusion, as a 

 stomachic. The root of Scirpus lacustris is astringent and diuretic, and was once offici- 

 nal. Remirea maritima, a common plant in tropical America, is said to be powerfully 

 diaphoretic and diuretic ; and the same qualities are ascribed to Kyllinga odorata and II y- 

 poporum nutans. The leaves of Cotton-grasses, Eriophorum, were once used in diarrhoea, 

 and the spongy pith of the stem to destroy tape-worms. Cyperus Iria has a reputation in 

 India as a useful medicine in suppression of the menses, and in colic. The root of 

 Kyllinga triceps is employed in the East Indies in diabetes, and as a stomachic, for 

 which its acridity combined with some aroma has recommended it. The root of Scle- 

 ria lithospexma is supposed upon the Malabar coast to have antinephritic virtues. The 

 tubers or eorms of Cyperus esculentus, (the /j.aAtvodaA\Ti of Theophrastus), called by the 

 French Souehet comestible or Amandcde terre, are used as food in the south of Europe, 

 and are employed in the preparation of orgeat ; Dr. Royle adds, that when roasted 

 they have been proposed as a substitute for coffee and cocoa. The Chinese cultivate 

 several species for food, especially the Pi-tsi or Scirpus tuberosus, which Nees v. Esen- 

 lieek regards as a bulbous form of Limnochloa plantaginea. And Dr. Royle informs us 

 (TUuatr. p. 413), that the Cyperus bulbosua of V'ahl (C. jemenicusL.), called Shcclandie- 

 aresee in Madras, and Puri-drempa by the Telingas, has tubers which when roasted or 

 boiled taste like potatoes, and would be valuable for food if they were not so small. 

 Scirpus dtihius of Roxburgh, (the Allikeo of the Telingas) is given on the same autho- 

 rity as having tubers, which the natives say are as good as yams. 



The Papyrus of (he banks of the Nile, Papyrus antiquorum, of which boats, paper,and 

 ropes are made, is a plant of this family ; it is said to be called Babeer in Syria, and is 

 described by the Arabians (Avic. c. 543), by the name Fafecr and Burdee : the former 

 evidently of the same origin as the Greek and Syrian names. A species of the genus 

 Papyrus (P. corymbosus, N. ah E., P. Pangorei Arnott) is hardly of less use in India, 

 being extensively employed for making the mats so much used there for covering the 

 floors of rooms, and which are also so much esteemed in Europe. Dr. Ainslie says that 

 a species, called Rora and Toonghi, which he refers to C. textilis of Thunberg, is 

 employed in the peninsula for the same purpose. Some of the species of Scirpus, 

 '•specially S. lacustris, are sometimes substituted for rushes in making baskets and 

 chair bottoms, &c. ; Cyperus textilis is employed in making ropes, and as the Papyrus 



