397 
INDIAN WOMEN GATHERING WILD RICE. 
THE GRASSES OF WISCONSIN, 
AND THE ADJACENT STATES OF IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, OHIO AND 
MICHIGAN, THE TERRITORY OF MINNESOTA, AND TIIE REGIONS 
ABOUT LAKE SUPERIOR. 
BY I. A. LAPHAM, MILWAUKEE. 
The word grass conveys two very distinct and different ideas ; and 
when used should be explained in such manner as to leave no doubt iu 
the mind of the reader as to which is intended. In common usage the 
word includes herbage, or plants which constitute the food of cattle and 
other beasts, without regard to any particular species or family of the 
vegetable kingdom. This is obviously very indefinite, and w r ould in¬ 
clude (besides the true grasses) the branches of trees, and a host of 
nutritious plants, as well as clover and lucerne. A much more precise 
definition is given to the word grass (Graminese) in botany where it 
includes only such plants as possess certain characters in common, con- 
