16 



POPULAE ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



titles are imported^ the arrivals of which are very irregular 

 and uncertain. 



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



minace^e,) 



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. 



Buckwheat. Fagopynm esculenimn, (Nat. Ord. Poli/- 

 gonacecE.) (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 



