LETTER XXII. 



GLUMACEOUS PLANTS THE GRASS TRIBE — THB 



SEDGE TRIBE. 



Plate XXII. 



For the natural orders forming the two difFerenfe 

 degrees of developement we have now considered, 

 there is no collective name ; but for the third we have 

 one in such general use, that we must not pass it by 

 in silence. 



There are certain plants which are called Gluma- 

 CEOus, because in place of calyx and corolla they 

 have nothing but green or brown scales, named glumes, 

 arranged alternately round a common centre. The 

 most remarkable of such plants are Grasses and 

 Sedges, to the former of wliich I propose first to call 

 your attention. 



The most common and the most useful of all the 

 natural orders of plants is beyond doubt the Grass 

 tribe ; wherever we cast our eyes, we are sure to see 

 blades of grass springing up, if any vegetation at all 

 can exist ; it is they that form that universal verdure 

 which gives the northern parts of the world their 

 peculiar charm, and which alone may console the 

 inhabitants for the want of those other advantages 



