THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
263 
similar matter ; tlie walls of the right ventricle more uni- 
formly thickened and firmer than natural. The cavity con- 
tained a coagulum which extended through the auricle into the 
vena cava ; it was of a similar colour and consistence to that 
found in the iliac veins. The lining membrane of the trachea 
and larynx was healthy. The brain and spinal cord were 
not examined. 
Whether I am right or wrong in the designation of 
this condition of body I shall leave more enlightened cor- 
respondents to say. The case, however, is one of great 
interest to the pathologist, and would form a fitter subject of 
speculation for a Virchow than a country veterinary prac- 
titioner. Unfortunately for our science, we have to look at 
it too much in a commercial aspect ; and our limited oppor- 
tunities often render us unable to take advantage of such 
cases as this, and deduce from them the lessons which they 
are capable of teaching. 
THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
By Professor James Bucjkman, F.G.S., F.L.S., &c. &c. 
(Continued from p. 177.) 
The next Order of the Glumal Alliance which will come 
under our notice, is that of Cyperacece or Sedges; and as many 
of these at first sight have so much the appearance of grasses, 
and yet are so distinctive, both in their feeding properties 
and agricultural indications, it will perhaps be as well to dis- 
tinguish them at once, as a means to which the following 
may be sufficient for practical every-day purposes : — 
Grasses. 
The stem-ca/w-of grasses is cylin- 
drical and fistular, and divided into 
lengths by the intervention of nodes 
— knobs. 
The leaves fold over the stem by 
a sheath. Thus the leaves are split- 
sheathed. 
Some few species have creeping 
scions — rhizomata. 
Sedges. 
The stem never hollow — very 
generally angular— in sedges trian- 
gular, not partitioned by nodes. 
The leaves have tubular or whole- 
leaf sheaths, by which the stem is 
surrounded. 
Creeping scions — rhizomata com- 
mon. 
It has already been remarked, that many species of grasses 
affect poor wet and unsound pastures, and are hence indica^ 
