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Monocotyledons with Glumaceous Flowers — Cypercicece. 
Flowers hermaphrodite as in Gyperus and Scirpus, or unisexual as in Garex ; without lateral bracteoles as in 
Cyperus, Cotton-sedge ( Eriophorum ), and Scirpus, or with a pair of lateral bracteoles as in the rare British genus 
Kobresia , or with the lateral bracteoles (or a single bracteole ?) wholly confluent in a flask-shaped investment (peri- 
gynium) of the pistillate flower as in Garex. 
Perianth wanting as in Garex and Gyperus; consisting usually of 3 or 6 bristles in Scirpus, or very numerous 
and hair-like bristles growing out after flowering in Cotton-sedge. 
Stamens usually 3. 
Ovary free, 1 -celled, with a solitary erect anatropous ovule ; styles 3 or 2. 
Fruit a flattened or triangular achene. 
Seed albuminous; albumen copious, mealy. 
USES, &c.—These are comparatively unimportant. The small tubers of a North African Gyperus {G. esculentus) 
containing oil and farina are edible, and have been collected as food from time immemorial. The cellular pith of the 
tall stems (culms) of Papyrus antiquorum, formerly abundant on the banks of the Nile, furnished the papyrus used 
as paper by the ancient Egyptians. The stems of Common Scirpus ( S . lacustris ) are gathered in the fens for basket¬ 
making, matting, bottle-covers, chair-bottoms, and the like. Sand Carex ( G . arenaria) is a maritime species, useful 
in binding shifting sands. 
