THE GRASS FAMILY. 



121 



vated in all temperate countries from the earliest times, as we 

 read that the flax and the barley was smitten."* Barley 

 is also used for making bread. When the thin covering 

 of the grain is removed, leaving the soft part or the albumen 

 entire, it forms the well known Scotch and pearl barley. It 

 also plays a most important part in the social habits of the 

 people of this country, being converted into " malt," from 

 which the beverages ale and porter are made, and by distil- 

 lation, gin and whisky. 



Oat (Avena sativa). There are many varieties of this 

 plant, and experience has shown that all have originated from 

 the wild oat (J., fatua). Oats are extensively cultivated 

 throughout the whole of Northern Europe, oatmeal forming 

 a substantial food for the people in Scotland ; but the culti- 

 vation of wheat has in many parts superseded it. " Emden 

 groats" are the grains in a prepared state. 



Rye (Secale cereale). This is said to grow wild in the 

 eastern parts of Europe, especially in the Crimea. It has 

 been long cultivated in Germany and more northern countries, 

 where it is extensively used for food. In this country it is 

 but little grown. 



Rye is subject to a disease called " ergot " (see p. 103), and 

 is then called spurred rye. 



Maize or Indian Corn (Zea Mays). This belongs to the 

 class Monoecia of Linnaeus, having stamens and pistils in 

 separate flowers on the same plant. It is a strong-groAving 

 annual grass of a cane-like appearance, attaining the height of 

 4 — 6 feet, and is terminated by thick cylindrical heads, 

 bearing corn grains, the whole being enclosed by a sheath or 

 spathe, and are called cobs." Previous to the discovery of 

 America Indian corn was cultivated throughout that conti- 

 nent in places favourable to its growth, and is now grown in 

 all warm countries, forming in many a staple article of trade. 

 Large quantities are imported to this country, principally 

 from the United States. When young the heads are boiled 



* Exodus, chap. ix. ver. 31. 



