377 
lium temulentum, a common weed in many parts of England, the effects of 
which are undoubtedly deleterious, although perhaps much exaggerated. In 
this respect an approach seems to be naturally made to the properties of half- 
putrid Wheat, which are known to be dangerous. The grain of Eleusine 
coracana is cultivated as corn, under the name of Natchenny, upon the Coro- 
mandel Coast. Ainslie, 1. 245. Independently of their nutritive fsecula, 
Grasses contain a large proportion of two other principles which deserve es- 
pecial mention, viz. sugar and silex. The abundance of the former in the 
Sugar-cane is the cause of its extensive cultivation ; but a large quantity ex- 
ists in many other Grasses, some of which, such as Holcus saccharatus, have 
actually been grown as substitutes for the Sugar-cane in Italy ; its presence in 
the nascent embryo of Barley is the cause of that grain being employed under the 
name of malt in the preparation of beer and of ardent spirits. Chisholm says, 
that the juice of the Sugar-cane is the best antidote to arsenic. Ed. P. J. 4. 
221. That the cuticle of Grasses contains a large proportion of silex, is 
proved by its hardness, and by large masses of vitrified matter being found 
whenever a hay- stack or heap of corn is accidentally consumed by fire. In 
the joints of some Grasses a perfect siliceous deposit is found, particularly in a 
kind of jungle Grass mentioned in a letter from Dr. Moore to Dr. Kennedy of 
Edinburgh. Ibid. 2. 192. It is also said that Wheat- straw may be melted 
into a colourless glass with the blow-pipe, without any addition. Barley- 
straw melts into a glass of a topaz yellow colour. Ibid. 2. 194. The sili- 
ceous matter of the Bamboo is often secreted at the joints, where it forms a 
singular substance called tabasheer, of which see a very interesting account in 
Brewster’s Journal, 8. 268. It was found by Turner that the tabasheer of India 
consisted of silica containing a minute quantity of lime and vegetable matter. A 
coarse soft paper, of excellent quality, is manufactured in India from the tissue of 
the Bamboo. A cooling drink is prepared in India from the roots of Cynodon 
Dactylon. Ainslie, 2. 27. The fragrance of some Grasses, such as Anthoxan- 
thum odoratum and Holcus odoratus, depends, according to Vogel, upon the 
presence of Benzoic acid. Ed. P. J. 14. 170. Sulphur exists, in combina- 
tion with different bases, in Wheat, Barley, Bye, Oats, Maize, Millet, and 
Rice. Ibid. 172. The Arundo arenaria is an invaluable species for keeping 
together the blowing sands of the sea- coast, by its creeping suckers and tough 
entangled roots. It is employed in the Hebrides for many economical pur- 
poses, being made into ropes for various uses, mats for pack saddles, bags, 
hats, &c. Ibid. 6. 155. Some of the Reeds of Brazil, called Taquarussa, 
are living fountains : they grow from 30 to 40 feet high, with a diameter of 
six inches, form thorny impenetrable thickets, and are exceedingly grateful 
to hunters ; for, on cutting off such a reed below the joint, the stem of the 
younger shoots is found to be full of a cool pleasant liquid, which immediately 
quenches the most burning thirst. Pr. Max. Trav. 81. The roasted leaves of 
Andropogon Schoenanthus are used in India, in infusion, as an excellent stomachic. 
An essential oil of a pleasant taste is extracted from the leaves in the Moluc- 
cas ; and the Javanese esteem the plant much as a mild aromatic and stimulant. 
Ainslie, 2. 58. The former is the Grass oil of Nemaur, called in India Iva- 
rancusa, and described in Brewster’s Journal, 9. 333. Many others, such as 
Andropogon citratum and nardus, and Anthoxanthum odoratum, partake of 
the same qualities. The gluten of Wheat yields the two chemical principles 
called gliadine and zimome. Ann. of Phil. no. 89. p. 390. De Candolle 
truly remarks, that the dangerous effects of the ergot of Corn is no exception 
to the generally wholesome properties of the order, because in this the whole 
grain is in a state of disease. The ergot of Rye has been lately found to exer- 
cise a decidedly powerful stimulant effect upon the uterus, on which account it 
is now frequently and successfully employed by European practitioners in cases 
