72 BRTTISH GRASSES. 



made of frosted silver, but so closely packed that they 

 present the appearance of a solid body. But when this 

 compressed crowd of silver blossoms is shaken gently 

 and repeatedly, they separate, and the true form of 

 branching rachis soon becomes developed. Thus treated, 

 the heads w T hich would have perished in a night, leaving 

 their latent beauty undeveloped and almost unsuspected, 

 become the most lovely objects for drawing-room deco- 

 ration possible. Mr. Johns recommends this treatment 

 most highly. 



In the ' Cottage Gardener's Magazine/ the botanical 

 name of the Pampas-grass, Gynerium argenteum, is said 

 to be derived from two Greek words, gyne, female, and 

 erion, wool, because of the woolly stigma. The writer 

 of the article takes great umbrage at the popular name 

 Pampas-grass, for he says it is found in no part of the 

 Pampas, but only upon the banks of the Parana and 

 other rivers in South America. 



The roots of this grass are wide-spreading, fibrous, 

 and very numerous. The leaves are hard and spiny at 

 the edges ; they are about half an inch broad, and from 

 six to eight feet long. So sharp are the spines, and the 

 leaves of such strong texture, that they inflict severe 

 cuts upon any hand rash enough to attempt to gather 

 them. 



Mr. Moore introduced the Pampas-grass into Britain, 

 and Messrs. Henderson were among its first cultivators. 

 It is quite hardy, but these experienced nurserymen 

 find it advantageous to tie the leaves together at the end 

 of autumn, so as to enclose the heart of the plant, and 

 to wrap a mat around. This they open on favourable 

 occasions, and remove it entirely in March. By this 

 means the plant is able to produce its culms earlier, and 



