124 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



known to attain the height of 100 feet in little more than five 

 months. The diameter of the cane varies from 3 — 6 inches, 

 and when about 30 feet high it begins to throw out lateral 

 branches, and produce its true grass leaves. Throughout the 

 warm parts of India it forms vast impregnable thickets or 

 jungle, and there as well as in China it is converted into 

 j nearly every article of domestic use, from ornamental trinkets 

 \ to house building, fences, pipes for conveying water, and 

 various purposes in agriculture. There are several species 

 of bamboo with stems no thicker than the finger, which on 

 account of their smoothness and hard texture are used for 

 various purposes. In the warm parts of tropical America a 

 species is found (5. guadua) which is allied to the Indian 

 species. 



Blow-pipe {Arundinaria Schomburgkli). A hollow reed- 

 like grass, similar in growth to the " bamboo." It is a native 

 of the country bordering on the head waters of the Orinoco 

 and Amazon. It rises to a height of from 50 — 60 feet, with 

 a diameter of about 1^ inch. For the first 16 feet the stem 

 is quite smooth and without a joint. This part forms the 

 Indian's rifle. The natives use it by simply placing a 

 poisoned arrow in the tube, which is directed towards the 

 object, a blast from the mouth sends the fatal shaft with great 

 rapidity and unerring aim. The poison soon takes effect, 

 and any bird or animal struck by it speedily dies, but the 

 flesh is not rendered unwholesome. 



Esparto grass {Lygeum spartum). A strong perennial 

 grass, having a rush-like appearance, growing in tufts. It is 

 a native of the Mediterranean shores, particularly those of 

 Spain, Barbary, and Algeria, where it covers vast tracts of 

 sand plains. In Spain it is used in the manufacture of hats, 

 mats, baskets, and the hke, and of late years has become of 

 great repute for paper-making. The grass being of a soft 

 nature, is readily brought into a pulpy state fit for the latter 

 purpose, and large quantities are imported to this country. 



Lemon grass {Andropogon Schcenantlius). A perennial 

 tufted grass, growing wild, as well as cultivated in many parts 



