216 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



Fig. 990. 



world, and found especially in marshes, ditches, and about 

 running streams. Illustrative Genera : — Carex, Linn. ; Oyperus, 

 Linn. ; Soirpus, Linn. There are about 2,000 species. 



Properties amd Uses. — Although closely allied in their bota- 

 nical characters to the Graminaceas, the Cyperaceae are alto- 

 gether deficient in the nutritive and other qualities which 

 render the plants of the Graminacese so eminently serviceable 

 to man and other animals. Indeed the order generally is 

 remarkable for the absence of any 

 important properties. Some of the 

 plants are slightly aromatic, sto- 

 machic, and diaphoretic, others 

 demulcent and alterative, and a few 

 have been used for economic pur- 

 poses. The underground stems of 

 certain species are edible when 

 roasted or boiled. Some of the 

 species by spreading and interlacing 

 their subterranean stems through 

 the sand of the seai-shore, and thus 

 binding it together, prevent it from 

 being washed away by the receding 

 waves, and in 'i] this way protect the 

 neighbouring coast from encroach- 

 ments of the sea. (See also Pro- 

 perties and, Uses of the Orami- 

 nacecB.) 



Order 39. GKAMiNACB.aii, the 

 Grass Order.-Character.-ff«r5s, 

 shrubs, or arborescent plants, with 

 round, commonly hollow, jointed 

 stems. Leaves alternate, with 

 parallel veins and split sheaths, and 

 with a ligule at the base of the lamina. Flowers herma- 

 phrodite or unisexual, arranged in spiked, panicled, or racemose 

 looustae ; or solitary. No true periamth, its place being supplied 

 by imbricate bracts, of which there are commonly 2, called 

 glumes, or rarely 1 (fig. 992) ; these glumes are placed at the 

 base of the solitary flower, or at the base of each locusta. 

 Occasionally the glumes are altogether absent. Each flower is 

 also usually furnished with two other alternate bracts (palece) 

 (or sometimes the inner palea, pi, is wanting), the outer 

 palea is frequently termed the flowering glume ; and 2 or 3 



Fig. 990. A portion of the stem 

 of the Cat's-tail Grass (PMeum 

 pratense), bearing a leaf with 

 parallel veins, and a split 

 sheath. 



