306 



rOPULAE ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



Several of the walking-canes are produced by plants be- 

 longing to the Natural Order GraminacecBy or the Grasses : 

 thus the Bamboo^ which is of almost universal application, 

 though very seldom used for the purpose above indicated, 

 is a species of grass, Bamhusa amndinacea, often fifty or 

 sixty feet in height ; and there are several resembling it, only 

 differing in size, which are only used as walking-canes ; for 

 instance, those called Whangees, "White and Black Bam- 

 boos, Muted Bamboos, Jambees, etc. : we are however 

 quite ignorant of the species which produce them. 



Under the name of Eeed Cane, the culm or stem of a 

 grass is largely imported from New Orleans, for the pur- 

 pose of making weavers^ shuttles, etc. ; they are probably 

 from Arundinaria ScJwmhurgkii, and are often forty feet in 

 length. 



The Bamboo is of infinite use to the inhabitants of the 

 East Indies, and especially China, who adapt it to an in- 

 finity of purposes ; they even make ornamental clothing by 

 stringing together very small lengths of the small petioles 

 of the beautiful narrow lanceolate leaves ; they also build 

 their huts and make every article of their furniture of this 

 useful cane, which thrives in the East with extraordinary 

 luxuriance. 



