S62 NATURAL HISTORY. 



article in domestic economy. It must be cultivated in 

 low grounds, which can be irrigated or overflowed witb 

 water, and is of the greatest importance to the inhabi- 

 tants of the tropical regions generally, as its seeds enter 

 more largely into their nourishment than those of any 

 other plant. Likewise very profitable to the cultivator, 

 as, in suitable soils, it yields three crops annually. There 

 is a relative variety the Upland or Mountain Rice. 

 Grows in high and dry places, but is less cultivated. 

 The aquatic variety is one of the staple crops of South 

 Carolina. Arrack, an intoxicating beverage used largely 

 in the East Indies, is a liquor prepared by fermentation 

 and distillation, from rice, syrup of the sugar cane, and 

 sap of the palm. O- 



Millet (Panicum miliaceum) is distinguished by its 

 loosely constructed panicle ; spikelets rough and spiny, 

 but without beards ; grain small and glossy. Originally 

 from the East Indies ; called by some Bengal-grass ; 

 cultivated largely in Europe, partly as an article of food 

 for man, but mostly employed for feeding swine. 0. 



Maize or Indian Corn (Zea mais). Stalk four to 

 eight feet high ; leaves two feet long and three inches 

 broad. Believed to be a native of the warmer regions 

 of middle America, but, transplanted into Europe, is 

 frequently cultivated in South Germany, Hungary, 

 Italy, etc. The ears or spikes stand in the axils of the 

 leaves, are nearly a foot long, and msasure five to six 

 inches in circumference. Spikelets arranged in numer- 

 ous series or rows on the cob. When corn is ripe, the 

 grains are bright yellow ; there are, however, other va- 

 rieties, where they are white, bluish, and red. This 

 cereal contains a great quantity of meal, is one of the 

 most important of the Gramined, and serves largely. 



