ENDOGENS. 



71 



were allowed to grow, the whole of the sugar would 

 be used by the plant. But man wishes to get the 

 sugar, and he therefore stops the growth of the plant 

 by drying it, and thus makes malt. 



13. Grasses and Sedges are families of Endogens 

 whose flowers have imbricated bracts, or scales, called 

 glumes, instead of a colored perianth. (Fig. 30.) 



Among the grasses are classed 

 the nutritious grains, as Wheat, 

 Barley, Oats, Eye, Rice, and 

 Indian Corn. 



14. The families of Palms 

 and Bananas are also noted 

 members of the type of En- 

 dogens. (Fig. 31.) 



Linnaeus, the father of botan- 

 ical science, called Grasses the 

 plebeians, and Palms the princes, 

 of the vegetable world. The latter are certainly 

 beautiful, and often gigantic, plants. As to utility it 

 would be difficult to make a comparison. Various 

 species of Palms are used for supplying food and for 

 forming habitations. The fruit of some is edible. 

 Many supply oil, wax, starchy matter, and sugar. 

 Their fibers make ropes, and various utensils are 

 formed from their wood or fruit. 



15. The Orchid family has numerous species, re- 

 markable for the variety of forms and brilliant colors 



Fig. 30. 



