LI 



vided into five grand divisions, or kingdoms : the kingdom of Rice — of 

 Maize — of Wheat — of Rye, — and lastly of Barley and Oats. The 

 first three are the most extensive ; the Maize has the greatest range of 

 temperature ; but Rice may be said to support the greatest number of the 

 human race.* 



With reference to the Properties, and Uses, of this comparatively hum- 

 ble tribe of plants, it may be observed, that it probably contributes — di- 

 rectly, and indirectly — more largely to the sustenance and comfort of the 

 human family, than any, if not all, of the othfr groups of the vegetable 

 creation. Those numerous species which are regarded as mere weeds, — 

 which even the browsing herds neglect, and trample under foot, s — may 

 yet, as has been intimated, be operative, in gradually fertilizing the soil. — 

 Some have been found of great value, simply in fixing and keeping togeth 

 er the blowing sands of the sea*coast, by their creeping suckers and tough 

 entangled roots. Among these, the Arundo arenaria, L. and the Cynod^ 

 on Dactylon, Pers. are the most remarkable. The roots of the latter are 

 also employed in India, in the preparation of a popular beverage. The 

 culms, or stems of the Grasses, have been put in requisition for various 

 ecor.omical,and even ornamental purposes. The Arundo, just mentioned, is 

 extensively used, in the Hebrides, for making ropes, mats, bags, &c. The 

 branches of tho panicle, at the summit of our cultivated Broom Corn 

 C Sorghum saccharatum, Pers. J furnish a large supply — as every one 

 knows — — of those convenient implements, called besoms, and brushes.- — 

 The culms of Rye afford a good material for roofing,--- and are much 

 employed, by the farmers m Lancaster, and some other counties of this 

 State, in thatching their barns. The Chinese manufacture a delicate pa- 

 per from the Rice plant ; and in our own country, a coarse but ^very use- 

 ful paper, is made from Oat Straw ---- and even from the husks of Indi- 

 an Corn. In the country of the Bamboo CBambusa arundinacea, Willd.J, 

 the culms of that stately Grass furnish spars for the equipment of sail- 

 boats, — and walking canes for the aid of pedestrians ; — while some of 

 its slender Congeners afford rods,for our Anglers, which honest Izaalc Wal- 

 ton, himself, might have envied. Large quantities of paper, also, are made 

 in China, from the Bamboo. Some of the Reeds of Brazil, are described 

 as living fountains: they grow from 30 to 40 feet high, with a diameter of 

 six inches, form impenetrable thickets, and are exceedingly grateful to 

 hunters; for, on cutting off such a reed below the joint, the stem of the 

 younger shoots is found to be full of a cool pleasant liquid, which immedi- 

 ately quenches the most burning thirst. The fashionable world, moreover, 



"SCHOUW, in LlNDLEY— TJBI SUPRA. 



