N. O. GRAMINEJE. 1381 



awn-like, enclosing the three spikelets pales 2 lower one firm, 

 o-ribbed rounded on the back and ending in a long stiff awn 

 rough with forward prickles lower pale a little smaller than 

 the upper bifid-2-veins and with the margins inflexed Lodicules 

 2 entense hardy stamens 3 exserted ovary hardy on top. 

 Stigmas 2-feathers Fruit (the grain) usually with the pales 

 adherent to it. 



Uses : — Barley is demulcent, and easy of digestion, and is for 

 these reasons much used in the dietary of the sick. In India 

 sattu, or powder of the parched grains, is much employed in 

 the form of a gruel in cases of painful and atonic dyspepsia. 

 In European practice, Barley water, a decoction of the grain, 

 is principally prescribed, and is valuable in cases requiring 

 demulcent treatment. Dr. Irvine states that in Patna the ashes 

 of the leaf are employed in the formation of cooling sherbets ; 

 and Stewart writes that the ashes of the stalks are prescribed 

 for indigestion in the plains of the Panjub. Preparations of 

 malt have acquired some reputation of late years in Europe and 

 America, since they are more demulcent and nutritious than 

 those of the unmalted barley. Malt extract may be prepared 

 by boiling two to four ounces of the germinated and dried grain 

 in a quart of water and straining. When hops are added, the 

 decoction becomes wort, and acquires tonic properties, which 

 have been found especially valuable in cases of debility following 

 on long continued chronic suppuration. 



1347. Bambusa arundinacea, Retz., h.f.b.i., vii. 

 395. Roxb. 191. 



Syn. : — B. orientalis, Nees ; Arundo bam bos, Linn. ; 



Sans. : — Vansa, kichaka. 



Vern. : — Bans, kattang, magar bans, nal bans (H) ; Bans, 

 behur bans (B.) ; Bu^h f Ass.) ; Katanga (Kol.) ; Mat (Santali) ; 

 Wah-kanteh (Garo.) Bariala (Chittagong) ; Magar, nal (Pb.); 

 Wans (Guz.); Kalak, padai (Konkan) ; Vas (Panch Mahals); 

 Mand gay (Bomb.) ; Bhans, chansa, bambu (Duk.) ; Kati wadur 



