ENDOGENJE GLUMACE^. 189 



USES. Of no other importance than as covering many 

 situations with a coarse herbage containing but little nu- 

 tritive matter. A quantity of starch secreted in the tubers 

 of some species renders them eatable, as Cyperus esculentus 

 and others. The Papyrus of the ancients was made from the 

 stems of the Papyrus antiquorum. A few species are slightly 

 aromatic. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Scirpus, Schosnus, Carex. 



183. Graminacea. Stems cylindrical, usually fistular. 

 Leaves alternate, with a split sheath. Flowers in little 

 locustse, consisting of imbricated bracts, with distinct glumes 

 or palese, or both. Hypogynous scales 2 or 3, sometimes 

 wanting. Stamens hypogynous, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or more ; an- 

 thers versatile. Ovary simple ; styles 2, very rarely 1 or 3 ; 

 stigmas feathery. Pericarp membranous. Albumen farina- 

 ceous ; embryo on one side of the albumen, lenticular. 



USES. The most important of all orders, because the floury 

 albumen of certain species furnishes man with bread, and 

 the nutritious herbage of others is the sustenance of herbi- 

 vorous animals. To the class of Corn belong Wheat, Barley, 

 Rye, Oats, Maize, Rice, and many other species cultivated in 

 warmer countries ; to that of fodder, Crested Dogstail, various 

 kinds of Fescue, Foxtail, Rye Grass, and a number of others 

 cultivated by farmers. Sugar is obtained from the juice of 

 the Saccharum officinarum, whose stem is solid, contrary to 

 the custom of the order. Bamboos, whose hard stems are 

 so valuable in hot countries, are arborescent grasses growing 

 60 to 100 feet high and more. A fragrant principle is found 

 in Anthoxanthum odoratum and others, especially Andro- 

 pogon Schoenanthus, called Lemon-grass in the gardens, 

 which is used as a stomachic in India ; where also an oil, 

 valued as an external application in rheumatism, is obtained 

 from the Andropogon Calamus aromaticus, believed to have 

 been the ancient drug of that name. The diseased grain 

 of Rye is Ergot, valuable for its powerful action upon the 

 uterus. Finally, a narcotic quality has been remarked in a 

 few species, especially Lolium temulentum. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Agrostis, Bromus, Aira, Lolium. 



