664 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



The creeping roots of some species, as T. repens, T. glaucum, and 7. 

 junceicm, have some reputation as substitutes for Sarsaparilla ; the first of 

 these is much used in France, in decoction, as an emollient, diuretic, &c, 

 and in the hospitals forms the basis of the common tisane in every complaint. 

 It has been stated that a strong decoction of it has proved highly efficacious 

 in organic diseases of the thorax and stomach. 



Hordeum. — Linn. 



Spikelets three, the lateral ones usually withered, 2-flowered, with an intermediate, 

 abortive floret. Glumes two, lanceolate-linear, with subulate awns, flattish, unequilateral, 

 at right angles with the palese, nearly on the outer side, herbaceous, rigid. Paleae two, 

 herbaceous ; the lower one concave, awned ; the upper bicarinate. Stamens three. Ovary 

 hairy at tip. Stigmas two, sessile, plumose. Scales two, entire, or with a lateral lobe, 

 usually hairy or ciliated. Caryopsis hairy at apex, oblong, furrowed within, rarely naked, 

 adhering to the paleae. 



Several species of this genus are cultivated under the name of Barley ; they 

 differ from each other in the number of rows of the seeds, and in the pre- 

 sence or absence of awns; the grain appearing to be very similar in all of 

 them. 



Fig. 315. 



Fig. 317. 



H. distichon. 



H. vulgare. 



H. hexastichon, 



H. vulgare, Linn. — All the florets hermaphrodite and awned. Seeds arranged in four 

 rows. Stems erect. Scales fringed with hairs. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 125 ; Kunth, Agrost. 455 ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 610. 

 Common Names. — Barley ; Spring Barley. 

 Foreign Name. — Orge, Ft. 



This and the other species are thought to be natives of Central Asia, but 

 there is no certainty on the subject, as it is also stated that they are indige- 

 nous to Sicily. The principal use of Barley is in the manufacture of malt 

 liquors, for which purpose it is converted into Malt by forcing it to germinate 

 by warmth and moisture, and destroying the vitality of the seed by heat. 

 By this process the sugar is increased at the expense of the starch. It is 

 also largely employed in southern Europe and Asia as food for horses. Bar- 

 ley is somewhat acrid and laxative, but when deprived of its husk (Pearl 

 Barley) it is merely emollient and demulcent, and is easy of digestion. 



