660 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



nerally with 2 keels, so as to form a kind of calyx. Scales 2 — 3, sometimes obsolete ; if 

 2, collateral, alternate with the paleae and adjoining- the lower of them ; either distinct or 

 united. Stamens hypogynous 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or more, one of which is alternate with the 

 scales ; anthers versatile. Ovary simple ; styles 2 — 3, rarely combined into one ; stigmas 

 feathery or hairy ; ovule ascending, anatropal. Pericarp usually blended with seed, 

 membranous. Albumen farinaceous. 



A vast and most important order of herbaceous plants, sometimes with 

 culms of a large size and perennial. The rhizome is fibrous or bulbous. 

 The culm or stem is usually cylindrical, fistulous and closed at the joints. 

 The epidermis is coated with a thin layer of siliceous matter. The leaves are 

 narrow and undivided, alternate, with a cleft sheath, and a membranous 

 ligula at their junction with the stalk. The flowers are in spikes. The 

 species are found in all parts of the world, and in all situations. Their value 

 to man, as affording the main part of his vegetable food, is inestimable, and 

 their importance as fodder for cattle is second only to it. It is a curious fact 

 that the native country of the principal Cerealia should be unknown ; for, 

 although oats and barley have been found apparently in a wild state on the 

 banks of the Euphrates, they might have been only the remains of cultivation. 

 Some writers have even supposed that these plants are the product of cultiva- 

 tion. (See Gardiner 's Chronicle, 1844.) The order has been divided into 

 numerous tribes, which will be separately noticed. 



Tribe 1. Oryze^e. — The most important genus of this group is Oryza. 



Oryza. — Linn, 

 Glumes 2, 1-flowered. Paleae 2, subequal, adhering to ovary. Stamens 6. Styles 2. 



This genus appears to consist of but one species, though there are almost 

 innumerable varieties, some of which differ much from each other. In 

 Moon's Catalogue of Ceylon plants, he mentions 163 kinds of Rice, as grown 

 in that island alone. Rice is cultivated in warm latitudes, and in some parts 

 of Asia constitutes the chief food of the inhabitants. In a medicinal point of 

 view, it may be considered as less aperient than any other grain, and is there- 

 fore well calculated as a diet where there is too much action of the bowels. 

 In India, the Hindoo practitioners are very particular as to the variety they 

 prescribe; deeming the rices of different crops to possess different qualities. 

 That of the first, they say, is strengthening and wholesome, whilst that of the 

 last will induce indigestion, flatulency, cutaneous eruptions, &c. Dr. Tytler 

 [Lancet, 1834) is of opinion that the oose or damaged rice of India was the 

 cause of the epidemic cholera ; but this assertion has been shown to be erro- 

 neous, as is also another, more generally believed, that a continued use of this 

 grain will occasion blindness. 



The Zizania aquatica, or Wild Rice of this country, affords an excellent 

 grain, somewhat resembling rice, which was in very general use among the 

 Indians, especially of those tribes living in the vicinity of the great lakes. 



Tribe 2. Phalare,e. 



Zea. — Linn. 



Monoecious. Sterile flowers : glumes 2, awnless, 2-flowered ; paleae awnless. Fertile 

 flowers : glumes 2 ; paleae 2 ; style 1, filiform, pendulous. Seeds immersed in an oblong 

 receptacle. 



This most useful genus is constituted of but one species, but the varieties 

 are exceedingly numerous. It is universally cultivated in the United States, 

 and in fact in most parts of America, and also in the southern countries of 



