330 
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
[Vol. 8, 
longing to the Bromeliaceae, which includes also the so-called Spanish 
moss of our southern forests. Such fruits as the blueberries and huckle- 
berries (Vacciniaceae), the persimmons (Ebenaceae), the papaw (Ano- 
naceae), and the mulberry, fig, and breadfruit (Moraceae) should not be 
forgotten. 
Nor should the importance of nuts be overlooked. In nut production, 
the family Juglandaceae takes first rank, with its walnuts, butternuts, 
hickory nuts, and pecans. The family next in importance is the Fagaceae, 
containing the chestnuts, the beechnuts, and the numerous acorns, so im- 
portant as foods for primitive peoples as well as for animals. Of third 
rank, probably, is the family Palmaceae, if the widely distributed and 
important coconut is counted a nut rather than a fruit. 
Forages 
Among forages the grass family, Poaceae, has by far the largest number 
of representatives. Chief among the cultivated grasses are timothy, blue- 
grass, redtop, orchard grass, meadow fescue, bermuda, and sudan grass, 
as also the cereals. A multitude of native species furnish grazing. Next 
in importance stand the legumes, Leguminosae, of which alfalfa, clovers, 
sweet clovers, vetches, cow peas, soy beans, velvet beans, and peanuts 
are well known and valuable representatives. Beyond these two great 
forage families stretches a long line of other families some of whose members 
are grazed, browsed, or ensiled, or otherwise enter into the animal diet. 
Saccharines 
The principal saccharines are sugar cane and sorgo, both grasses; the 
sugar beet, like the garden beet, of the Chenopodiaceae; and the sugar 
maple, belonging to the Aceraceae. 
Medicinal and Poisonous Plants 
Even to mention the many natural families yielding healing and toxic 
substances is beyond the scope of the present paper. Certain important 
examples will occur readily to all. Probably the three most important 
drug-producing families are the Papaveraceae, or poppy family, yielding 
opium and its derivatives, so useful in relieving pain, but so terrible in their 
effects when abused; the Rubiaceae, or madder family, producing the 
quinine so potent in the control of malarial fevers, as well as coffee; and the 
Solanaceae, or potato family, producing belladonna, capsicum, stramonium, 
and tobacco. Other prominent drugs are found in the Araceae; Compositae, 
Cruciferae, Labiateae, Leguminosae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, and Um- 
belliferae. 
Among the families containing important poisonous plants are the 
Anacardiaceae (poison ivy, sumach), Apocynaceae (dogbanes), Asclepi- 
adaceae (milkweeds), Compositae (asters, cockleburs, sneezeweeds) , Eri- 
