172 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



wheat-grains have been found in the pre-historic Lake 

 Dwellings of Switzerland. Under the 

 influence of cultivation, innumerable 

 ■>-. " varieties" have arisen, diflfering much 

 as to the color and quality of the grain, 

 presence or absence of awns, as to the 

 hardiness of the plant, etc. Barley 

 {Hordeum didichum and S. hexasti- 

 chum, two-rowed and six-rowed Barley) 

 ^^^ is now used in making bread ; it was 



cultivated in remote timef. The Rye (Secale cereale) 

 has also been cultivated for ages, originating probably in 

 Southern Europe and Asia. Rice ( Oryza sativa), cultivated 

 in many countries, furnishes food to more human beings 

 than any other plant. Indian Corn, or Maize (Zea Mais), 

 a native of the warm regions of the New World, was 

 cultivated by the aborigines of North and South America. 

 Under its extensive cultivation many " varieties" have 

 arisen. The Oat (Avena sativa), grown more especially 

 in cooler climates, probably originated in North Europe 

 or Asia. Among the important forage Grasses are the 

 Timotiiy, or Herd's Grass (Phkum pratense), Red-top 

 (Agrostis vulgaris), Orchard Grass {Dadylis glomerata), all 

 natives of Europe; also Kentucky Blue 

 Grass (Poa pratensis) of the United States 

 and Europe, and Slough Grass {Miihlenhergia 

 glomerata and M. Mexicana) of the Missis- 

 sippi Valley. The Sugar-Cane {Saccharmn 

 officinarum) is a native of the warm regions 

 of Asia, and is cultivated in all warm regions 



Fig. 268. A gramineous flower (Paa firatsnsis); w^/a^, upper palet; ^, lower 

 palet. Fig. 289. Feathery stigma of /'tja/ra^crt^/j. 



