THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 47 



what obscure. The glumes aud palets are reduced to a few scales at 

 the base of the large grain, and are usually unnoticed. At the apex of 

 each grain is produced a long thread-like stjle, varying from a few 

 inches to a foot long. The entire axis, or ear of corn as it is called, is 

 enwrapped by a number of leaf-like bracts, commonly called the husks. 

 The long thread like styles extend beyond and i:>rotrude from the point 

 of this envelope, where they may be fertilized by the pollen falling 

 upon them from the male tlowers in the terminal panicle. There is a 

 variety of maize in which each kernel or grain of the corn is enveloped 

 by a husk of three or four pieces three-fourths of an inch to 1 inch 

 long. Tt is supposable that these are the normal envelopes, which in 

 other varieties have become abortive. 



ZizANiA AQUATIC A. (Wild rice, Indian rice. Water oats.) 



This grass is botanically related to the common commercial rice (Oryza 

 sativa)j but is very different in general appearance. It is widely diffused 

 over Xorth America, and is found in Eastern Siberia and Jai^an. It 

 grows on the muddy banks of rivers and lakes, both near the sea and 

 far inland, sometimes in water 10 feet or more deep, forming i)atches or 

 meadows covering many acres or extending for miles. Its ordinary 

 growth is from 5 to 10 feet high, with a thick spongy stem and abun- 

 dant long and broad leaves. The panicle is pyramidal in shape, 1 to 2 

 feet long, and widely branching below. The uijper branches are rather 

 appressed and contain the fertile flowers, and the lower branches con- 

 tain only staminate ones. The spikelets are one-flowered, each with one 

 pair of external husks or scales, which are by some botanists called 

 glumes, and by others called palets. These husks or glumes in the 

 fertile flower are nearly or quite an inch long, with an awn or beard as 

 long or twice as long. The grain inclosed between them is half an inch ^ 

 long, slender, and cylindrical. The glumes of the staminate flowers are 

 about half an inch long and without awns, each flower containing six 

 stamens. These flowers fall off soon after they expand. The fertile 

 flowers also drop very readilj^ as soon as the grain is ripened. The grass 

 abounds in the small lakes of Minnesota and the Xorthwest, and is there 

 gathered by the Indians for food. The husk is removed by scorching 

 with fire. It is a very palatable and nutritious grain. > Some attempts 

 have been made to cultivate the grass, but the readiness of the seed to 

 drop must interfere with a successful result. Xear the sea-coast multi- 

 tudes of reed birds resort to the marshes where it grows and fatten upon 

 the grain. The culms are sweet and nutritious, and cattle are said to 

 be very fond of the grass. (Plate 22.) 



Leersia. 



A genus of rough-leaved grasses growing for the most ])art in marshy 

 or moist ground throughout nearly all psiYts of the United States. 

 There are about five species, two of which are confined to the Southern 



