GRASSES. 15 



them useful ; while the inferior animals depend en 

 tirely upon that provision which Nature has made for 

 their supply. 



How beautifully do these facts illustrate those 

 words of our Saviour : " Consider the ravens, for they 

 neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse 

 nor barn, and God feedeth them ! " 



The cereal grasses, or corn plants, are very rapid 

 in their growth, and in a surprisingly short time 

 send up a tall hollow stem, divided by joints, where 

 the leaves are inserted, one at each joint, on the alter- 

 nate sides of the stem ; each leaf embracing the stem 

 like a sheath. 



Wheat stands at the head of the cereal grasses for 

 its great productiveness and utility. Thene are seve- 

 ral cultivated varieties of Wheat, the origin of all of 

 which is involved in obscurity. No where has it been 

 found in a wild state; at least, botanists have not 

 been able to identify any of the wild species with 

 those in cultivation. There is no doubt of its great 

 antiquity, grains having frequently been found en- 

 closed with the mummies of Egypt. Some of these 

 having been sown, have produced plants similar to 

 those now grown in the Levant. 



There is much to admire in a simple grain of wheat. 

 It contains within itself a marvellous vegetative power, 

 which, after having lain for centuries in the darkness 

 and obscurity of an Egyptian tomb, is capable, if 

 rightly managed, of being made to yield not only a 

 new plant, with its abundant spike, but also plant 

 after plant, and spike after spike, until the produce 



