16 POPULAR ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



tities are imported, the arrivals of which are very irregular 

 and uncertain. 



Canary Seed. Phalaris Canariensis. (Nat. Ord. Gra- 

 minacece.) 



Though not used for human food, this seed is very exten- 

 sively used in this country in feeding cage-birds, for which 

 purpose it is both grown and imported. Many acres are- 

 annually cultivated with this crop in Kent, and we some- 

 times receive several hundred quarters from Germany, where 

 its Culture receives considerable attention. The Isle of 

 Thanet is the chief place of its culture in England, and 

 here its straw when cut into chaff is highly valued as fodder 

 for horses. 



Buckwpieat. Fagopyrum esculenium. (Nat. Ord. Poly- 

 gonacea.) (Plate II. fig. 7.) 



Probably a native of England; it is much cutivated in 

 Northern Europe and in North America, where, in the form 

 of buckwheat cakes, it is a favourite food. It comes occa- 

 sionally to this country from Germany, chiefly for use as 

 seed. It forms excellent food for pheasants, and for that 

 purpose is sown extensively in the vicinity of game-preserves. 

 The seed is about twice the size of mustard-seed, rather 

 longer than broad, and having three sharp angles running 



