The Book of Grasses 



plants as Indian Rice, and attempt to solve the question by 

 calling them reeds. But reed or grass, it is the same, and grass- 

 like characteristics are constant 

 whether measured by inches or 

 disguised by a gigantic growth. 



In shallow water and on 

 muddy shores the Indian Rice 

 grows, a tall, stout grass whose 

 long flowering heads seem like a 

 combination of flowers from two 

 dissimilar plants; the upper, fruit- 

 bearing portion of the panicle consist- 

 ing of narrow, erect branches with 

 long-awned flowers, while below 

 them awnless, staminate flowers 

 droop from branches that are widely 

 spreading. The dark seeds are 

 half an inch or more in length, 

 and where the grass grows by 

 _ lakes in Minnesota and the 

 ^x^ Northwest the Indians paddle 

 their canoes among thickets of 

 Indian Rice and beat ofi" the 

 grain, gathering it as a cherished 

 article of food, while in the water 

 hungry fishes eagerly eat the scattered 

 seed. 



On the Jersey marshes, and south- 

 ward by tidal waters of the Middle 

 States, multitudes of bobolinks in sober 

 dress stop, during their journey toward 

 warmth and sunshine, and fmd bountiful 

 fare spread for them on ripening panicles 

 of this grass. The bobolink's flood of 

 melody poured over June fields is lost 

 in autumn, and name as well as plum- 

 age is changed; ricebird, or reedbird, is 

 the sobriquet under which he travels. 

 These birds are, alas! a favourite target 

 for fall sportsmen, and it may be re- 



Indian Rice 

 Zizania paluitris 



84 



