BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 41 



E. We come now to Triandria, or three 

 stamens. It is here we find the great tribes of 

 Grain. Reeds. Grasses, and Sugar Canes. The 

 Indian Corn does not belong here with the rest, 

 the reason of which you will find as we proceed. 

 Wheat has been aptly made the emblem of 

 riches, for. with the use of fire, it seems to 

 have been confided to the care of man to secure 

 him the sceptre of the earth. The grains most 

 useful to man, perish when they have matured 

 their seed and provided for his sustenance that 

 year: and without a fresh and over-called-for 

 renewal of his exertions, he would inevitably be 

 without them and starve, for none of the plants 

 that furnish them can now be found in a primi- 

 tive or wild state. There are times when food 

 is considered much more valuable than all the 

 riches in the world. Will you read this anec- 

 dote which very prettily proves my position ? 



L. An Arab wandering in the desert, had 

 not tasted food for the space of two days, and 

 began to be apprehensive of famine. In pass- 

 ing near a well where the caravans stopped, he 

 perceived a little leather sack on the sand ; he 

 took it up saying, " God be praised, it is, I think, 

 a little flour." He hastened to open the sack. 



