The uses of this most important tribe of plants, for fodder, food, and clothing, require little illustration. The abundance of wholesome fæcula contained in their seeds renders them peculiarly well adapted for the sustenance of man; and if the Cereal Grasses only, such as Wheat, Barley, Rye, Oats, Maize, Rice, and Guinea Corn, are the kinds commonly employed, it is because of the large size of their grain compared with that of other Grasses; for none are unwholesome in their natural state, with the exception of Lolium temulentum, a common weed in many parts of England, the effects of which are undoubtedly deleterious, although perhaps exaggerated; of Bromus purgans and catharticus, said to be emetic and purgative; of Bromus mollis, reported to be unwholesome, and of Festuca quadridentata, which is said to be poisonous in Quito, where it is called Pigonil. To these must be added Molinia varia, injurious to cattle, according to Endlicher; and a variety of Paspalum scrobiculatum, called Hureek in India, (Graham's Bombay Plants, p. 234), which is perhaps the Ghohona Grass, a reputed Indian poisonous species, said to render the milk of cows that graze upon it narcotic and drastic. (Madras Journal, 1837, p. 107). It is however uncertain how far the injurious action of some of these may be owing to mechanical causes, which, in the case of the species of Calamagrostis and Stipa seem to be the cause of mischief in consequence of their roughness and bristles. In their qualities the poisonous species seem to approach the properties of putrid Wheat, which is known to be dangerous.

Among corn plants less generally known may be mentioned Eleusine coracana, called Natchnee, on the Coromandel coast, and Nagla Ragee, or Mand, elsewhere in India; Phalaris canariensis, which yields the canary seed; Zizania aquatica or Canada Rice; Paspalum scrobiculatum, the Menya or Kodro of India, a cheap grain, regarded as unwholesome; Setaria germanica, yielding German millet; Panicum frumentaceum, called Shamoola, in the Deccan ; Setaria italica, cultivated in India under the name of Kala kangnee or Kora kang; Panicum miliaceum, a grain called Warree in India; and P. pilosum, called Bhadlee. Penicillaria spicata or Bajree; Andropogon Sorghum or Durra, Doora, Jowaree or Jondla; and Andropogon saccharatus or Shaloo, are also grown in India for their grain. A kind of fine-grained corn, called, on the west of Africa, Fundi or Fundungi, is produced by Paspalum exile; and finally, both the Teff and Tocusso, Abyssinian corn plants, are species of this order; the former Poa abyssinica, the latter Eleusine Tocusso, (Linnæa, 1839). Even Stipa pennata is said to produce a flour much like that of Rice.

The value of Grasses as fodder for cattle is hardly second to that of their corn for human food. The best fodder Grasses of Europe are usually dwarf species, or at least such as do not rise more than 3 or 4 feet above the ground, and of these the larger kinds are apt to become hard and wiry; the most esteemed are Lolium perenne, Phleum and Festuca pratensis, Cynosurus cristatus, and various species of Poa and dwarf Festuca, to which should be added Anthoxanthum odoratum for its fragrance. But the fodder Grasses of Brazil are of a far more gigantic stature, and perfectly tender and delicate. We learn from Nees von Esenbeck, that the Caapim de Angola of Brazil, Panicum spectabile, grows 6 or 7 feet high: while other equally gigantic species con stitute the field crops on the banks of the Amazons. In New Holland the favourite is the Anthistiria australis or Kangaroo Grass; in India the A. ciliata is also in request. But the most common Indian fodder Grass appears to be Doorba, Doorwa, or Hurryalee, Cynodon Dactylon. Gama Grass, Tripsacum dactyloides, has a great reputation as fodder in Mexico; and attention has lately been directed to the Tussac-grass of the Falklands, Festuca flabellata, a species forming tufts 5 or 6 feet high, and said to be unrivalled for its excellence as food for cattle and horses. (See Gardener's Chronicle, 1843, p. 131).

The fragrance of our sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum), is by no means confined to it. Other species are Hierochloe borealis, Ataxia Horsfieldii, and some Andropogons; their odour is said to be owing to the presence of benzoic acid. The most famous species are Andropogon Iwarancusa and Schoenanthus, the latter the Lemon Grass of English gardens; A. Calamus aromaticus, which Dr. Royle considers the plant of that name described by Dioscorides, and the "sweet cane" and "rich aromatic reed from a far country" of Scripture; and the Anatherum muricatum, called Vetiver by the French, and Khus in India, where its fragrant roots are employed in making tatties, eovers for palanquins, &c.

This fragrance is connected with aromatic secretions which have in part recommended Grasses to the notice of medical practitioners. The last mentioned plant (Anatherum muricatum), is said to be acrid, aromatic, stimulating, and diaphoretic ; another species, A. Nardus, is called, because of its quality, Ginger Grass, or Koshel. 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 Moluccas; and the Javanese esteem the plant much as a mild aromatic and

GRAMINACEÆ.

[ENDOGENS.

stimulant. (Ainslie, ii. p. 58.) in India Ivarancusa, and described in Brewster's Journal, ix.p. 333. Many others partake The former is one of the Grass oils of Nemaur, called of the same qualities. But it is not merely for their aroma that Grasses are used medicinally. A cooling drink is employed in India from the roots of Cynodon Dactylon. The hard stony fruits of Coix Lachryma (Job's-tears), have been supposed to be strengthening and diuretic; and the latter quality has been recognised in many others, especially the common Reeds, Phragmites arundinacea and Calamagrostis in Europe, Perotis latifolia in the West Indies, and the Brazilian species of Gynerium. A decoction of Eleusine indica is employed in Demerara, in the convulsions of infants, according to Schomburgk. Donax arundinaceus is astringent and subacrid. The creeping roots of the Quitch or Quick Grass, Triticum repens, of Tr. glaucum and junceum and Cynodon Dactylon and lineare, have some reputation as a substitute for Sarsaparilla. A decoction of the root of Gynerium parviflorum is used in Brazil to strengthen the hair. Sugar is a general product of Grasses. Gynerium saccharoides, a Brazilian Grass, derives its name from that circumstance. It exists in great quantity in the Sugar-cane (Saccharum officinarum); Maize so abounds in it that its cultivation has been proposed in lieu of the Sugar-cane; and it is probable that the value of other species for fodder depends upon the abundance of this secretion.

For economical purposes Grasses are often of much importance. The strong stems of the Bamboo are employed instead of timber and cordage. The Arundo arenaria and Elymus arenarius (Marrum Grasses) are invaluable species for keeping together the blowing sands of the sea-coast, by their creeping suckers and tough entangled roots. The first is employed in the Hebrides for many economical purposes, being made into ropes for various uses, mats for pack-saddles, bags, hats, &c. Brazil, called Taquarussa, are living fountains: they grow from 30 to 40 feet high, with Some of the Reeds of a diameter of six inches, form thorny impenetrable thickets, and are exceedingly grateful to hunters; for, on cutting off such a Reed below a joint, the stem of the younger shoots is found to be full of a cool liquid, which quenches the most burning thirst. Reeds and other coarse species furnish in Europe the materials for thatching. The reeds (sometimes 16 feet long), from which the Indians of Esmeralda form the tubes whence they blow the arrows poisoned with the deadly Urari or Woorali, are single internodes of the Arundinaria Schomburgkii. (Linn. Trans. xviii. p. 562.) A coarse but good sort of soft paper is manufactured in India from the tissue of the Bamboo, and the very young shoots of that plant are eaten like Asparagus.

Besides these things the inorganic products are remarkable. That the cuticle contains a large proportion of silex, is proved by its hardness, and by 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. 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. The siliceous 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, viii. p. 268. It was found by Turner that the tabasheer of India consisted of silica containing a minute quantity of lime and vegetable matter. Sulphur exists, in combination with different bases, in Wheat, Barley, Rye, Oats, Maize, Millet, and Rice. For an account of the disease called Ergot, see p. 39, in the Fungal Alliance. It seems to be found in all Grasses, but most abundantly in Rye and Maize. When mixed with flour, in any quantity, it causes a mortification of the limbs, and the most horrible poisoning. Medical men have however found it to exercise a decidedly powerful stimulant effect upon the uterus, on which account it is now frequently and successfully employed by European practitioners in cases of difficult parturition. The ergot

Ergot is a disease which causes the grain of Rye to lengthen, harden, turn black, and form horns or spurs upon the ears. followed the use of the spurred grains. Where Rye is the food of man or of cattle, most dreadful consequences have M. Bonjean. He says that the action on animals is extremely similar to that of morphine, although it Some curious observations have lately been made upon it by in fact contains no trace of that substance. faction; when it begins to act, dogs howl frightfully until they are completely under its influence, and The first effect is to produce a loss of appetite and stupethen lie down and groan. In fowls the comb and crop become black. It appears that the Ergot which breaks with a white fracture is quite as dangerous as that which is violet; but until it is quite ripe it has no dangerous action; six or eight days are sufficient for its maturity, and even its being very old, hard, and dry seems in no way to impair its venomous qualities. M. Bonjean adds that Ergot contains two principles entirely different: one, of an oily nature, is venomous; the other, of a watery character, is harmless, but produces the extraordinary medical effects for which Ergot is employed-in particular in stopping the most frightful cases of hemorrhage. hæmostatic extract, may be prepared without difficulty, and that he has administered as much as He asserts that the watery part, which he calls 2 drachms of it, which is equal to 9 or 10 drachms of the Ergot, without any dangerous consequences. The best Ergot is obtained from Rye which is grown on dry, airy, elevated regions, and where the

of Maize is, according to Roulin, very common in Colombia, and the use of it is attended with a shedding of the hair, and even the teeth, of both man and beast. Mules fed on it lose their hoofs, and fowls lay eggs without shell. Its action upon the uterus is as powerful as that of Rye ergot, or perhaps more so. The country name of the Maize thus affected is Maïs peladero. This statement however requires confirmation.

I.-Oryzeal.

Leersia, Sol.

Asprilla, Schreb.

Homalocenchrus, Mieg.

Blepharochloa. Endi.
Putamochloa, Griff.
Oryza. Linn.

Maltebrunia, Kunth.
Potamophila, R. Br.
Hydrochloa, P. Br.
Hydropyrum, Lk.
Melinum, Lk.
Zirania, L.
Hy roryza, Nees.
Carvochloa, Trin.

Arrozia, Schrad.
Luzicla, Juss.
Ehrharta. Thunb.

Trechera, Rich. Tetrarrhena. R. Br. Microlana, R. Br.

Pharus, P. Br.

Diplax, Sol.

Leptaspis, P. Br.

III.-Panice.

Reimaria, Flügg.
Paspalum, L.

GENERA.

Aronopus, Röm.et Sch.
Ceresia, Pers.

Garnotia, Brongn.

Milium, L.

Miliarium, Mnch.
Leptocoryphium, Nees.
Amphicarpum, Rifin.
Olyra, L.

Lithachne, Palis.
Raddia, Bertol.
Strephium, Schrad.
Thrasya, Kunth.
Eriochloa, Kunth.

Edipachne, Lk.
Helopus, Trin.
Urochioa, Palis.

Axonopus, Palis.
Coridochloa, Nees.
Rhynchelytrum, Nees.
Panicum, Linn.

Digitaria, Scop.
Dactylon, Vill.

Syntherisma, Schrad.
Hymenachne, Palis.
Streptostachys, Palis.
Monachne, Palis.
Aulaxanthus, Ell.
Aulaxia, Nutt.
Thalasium, Spr.
Trichachne, Nees.
Otachyrium, Nees.
Ichnanthus, Palis.
Bluffia, Nees.
Isachne, R. Br.

Meneritaria, Herm.
Stenotaphrum, Trin.
Rottboella, Sw.
Acratherum, Lk.
Berghausia, Endl.
Miquelia, Nees.
Melinis, Palis.

Suardia, Schrank.
Tristegis, Nees.
Thysanolæna, Nees.
Chætium, Nees.
Oplismenus, Palis.

Orthopogon, R. Br.
Hippagrostis, Rumph.
Echinocloa, Palis.
Berchtoldia, Prest.
Chamærhaphis, R. Br.
Pennisetum, Rich.
Setaria, Palis.
Gymnothrix, Palis.
Cataterophora, Steudel.
Beckera, Fres.
Penicillaria, Sw.
Cenchrus, Linn.

Panicastrella, Michel.
Trachyozus, Reichenb.
Trachys, Pers.

Trachystachys, Dietr.

Anthephora. Schreb.

Colladoa, Pers.
Lappago, Schreb.
Tragus, Hall.
Lopholepis, Decaisn.

Holboellia, Wall.
Latipes, Kunth.
Echinolana, Desv.
Navicularia, Bertol.
Thouarea, Pers.

Microthouarea, Thouars.
Spinifex, Linn.
Neurachne, R. Br.

IV.-Stipec.

Oryzopsis. Rich.

Dilepyrum, Raf.
Greenia, Nutt.
Piptatherum, Palis.
Urachne, Trin.
Lasiagrostis, Lk.
Dichelachne, Endl.
Orthoraphium, Nees.
Macrochloa, Kunth.
Stipa, Linn.

Nasella, Trin.
Piptochatium, Presl.
Aristella, Trin.

Jarava, Ruiz et Pav.
Eriocoma, Nutt.
Streptachne, R. Br.
Aristida, Linn.

Chataria, Palis.

Curtopogon, Palis.
Pseudachne, Endl.
Streptachne, Kunth.
Arthratherum, Palis.
Stipagrostis, Nees.

V.-Agrostea.
Mühlenbergia, Schreb.
Podos@mum, Kunth.
Trichochloa, Trin.
Dilepyrum, Michx.
Brachyelytrum, Palis.
Clomena, Palis.
Lycurus, H. B. K.
Coleanthus, Seid.
Schmidtia, Tratt.
Willibalda, Sternb.
Phippsia, R. Br.
Colpodium, Trin.
Cinna, L.
Epicampes, Presl.
Echinopogon, Palis.
Sporobolus, R. Br.
Heleochloa, Palis.
Agrosticula, Raddi.
Calotheca, Steud.
Agrostis, Linn.

Trichodium, Auct.
Vilja, Auct.
Anemagrostis.
Apera, Palis.
Gastridium, Palis.
Nowodworskya, Presl.

Raspailia, Presl. Cheetotropis, Kunth. Polypogon, Desf. Chaturus, Lk. Egopogon, Willd. Pereilema, Presl.

VI.-Arundineæ.

Sericura, Hassk.
Calamagrostis, Adans.
Deyeuxia, Clar.
Lachnagrostis, Trin.
Pentapogon, R. Br.
Ammophila, Host.
Psamma, Palis.
Amagris, Ratin.
Arundo, Linn.
Donax, Palis.
Scolochloa, Koch.
Trichoon, Roth.
Ampelodesmos, Lk.
Graphephorum, Desv.
Phragmites, Trin.
Czernya, Presl.
Amphidonax, Nees.
Gynerium, H. B. K.

VII.-Pappophorea.
Amphipogon, R. Br.
Diplopogon, R. Br.
Dipogonia, Palis.

Trirhaphis, R. Br.

Pappophorum, Schreb.

Enneapogon, Desv.
Polyrhaphis, Trin.
Euraphis, Trin.

Corethrum, Vahl.
Cottæa, Kunth.
Echinaria, Desf.

Panicastrella, Mönch. Cathestecum, Prest.

VIII.-Chlorcæ.
Microchloa, R. Br.
Schoenefeldia, Kunth.
Cynodon, Rich.

Digitaria, Juss.
Fibigia, Kölr.

Capriola, Adans.
Cabrera, Lagasc.
Dactyloctenium, Willd.
Eustachys, Desv.
Schultesia, Spr.
Chloris, Sw.

Apogon, Endl.
Euchloris, Kunth.
Actinochloris, Panz.

Geopogon, Endl.
Tetrapogon, Desf.
Leptochloa, Palis.

Leptostachys, Meyer.
Oxydenia, Nutt.
Diplachne, Palis.
Eleusine, Gærtn.

Harpochloa, Kunth.
Ctenium, Panz.

soil is sandy or chalky in character. When its form is somewhat long, and it is of a very dark colour, or if it has been gathered in plains or damp valleys, it is of inferior quality. On chemical analysis, according to the experiments of Vauquelin, Wiggers, and others, it yields nearly half its weight in oil, resin, wax. fatty matter and gum, all hydrogenous principles, and a little albumen, and nitrogenous extract. If the season has been a wet one, or if the Ergot has been gathered in moist places, these principles lose their relative proportions; and the spurred Rye, approaching nearer in quality to good grain, contains but few oleo-resinous principles. It is worthy of remark, that this parasitic grain is only met with on the finest plants of Rye in shady places, or towards the ends of fields recently cleared of wood, and where the carbonic principles and a rich soil abound.-Chemical Gazette.

Miegia, Pers.

Ludolfia, Willd.
Triglossum, Fisch.
Macronar, Rafin.

Arthrostylidium, Ruppr.

Phyllostachys, Sieb.
Streptogyna, Palis.
Chusquea, Kunth.

Rettbergia, Raddi.
Platonia, Kunth.
Dendragrostis, Nees.
Merostachys, Spreng.
Guadua, Kunth.
Nastus, Juss.

Stemmatospermum, Pal.
Schizostachyum, Nees.
Bambusa, Schreb.

Arundarbor, Bauh. Dendrocalamus, Nees. Beesha, Rheed. Melocanna, Rop. Streptochæta, Nees. Lepideilema, Trin.

XI.-Hordca.
Lolium. Linn.
Crapalia, Schrank.
Triticum, Linn.
Spelta, Endl.
Agropyrum, Palis.
Trachynia, Lk.
Secale, Linn.
Elymus, Linn.

Psammochloa, Endl.
Cuviera, Kæl.

? Sitanion, Raf.

Gymnostichum, Schreb.

Nardus, Linn.
Psilurus. Trin.

Asprella, Host.
Monerma, Palis.
Lepturus, R. Br.
Myurus, Endl.
Micrurus, Endl.
Monerma, Palis.
Syurus, Endl,
Pholiurus, Trin.
Oropetium, Trin.
Ophiurus, Gærtn.
Hemarthria, R. Br.
Lodicularia, Palis.
Vossia, Wall. et Griff.
Muesithea, Kunth.
Thyridostachyum, Nees.
Rottboella, R. Br.
Hemipus, Endl.
Stegosia, Lour.
?Cymbachne, Retz.
Calorhachis, Brongn.
Ratzeburgia, Kunth.
Aikinia, Wall.
Xerochloa, R. Br.

Mohl has endeavoured to show that Brown's view of the theoretical nature of the paleæ is untenable (Bot. Zeitung, 1845, Jan. 17; and Ann. Nat. Hist. XV. 174). He supposes the inferior palea not to form one-third, a little displaced, of a trimerous verticil, but to be a bract from whose axil the floral axis takes its rise. What he regards as proof of the correctness of this view is found in the viviparous state of Poa alpina, thus described :-"In the viviparous spikes of the Poa alpina, I have found the two calycine valves always perfectly normal, and only the paleæ deformed; the deviation from the normal structure is generally less in the most inferior flower than in the succeeding one, so that frequently the lowest is still perfectly normal, or approaches more to the normal structure than the flower situated higher up. The axis of the spicula exhibits the least variations. It is, as far as it bears abnormal flowers, more or less thickened, full of sap, presents an unlimited growth superiorly, and frequently small rootlets shoot out from its inferior internodes; in short, it has assumed the characters of an axis of vegetation, and perfectly resembles with its leaves a small culm of grass; while its inferior portion, which bears the calycine valves, and forms the petiole of the spicula, is of the same small diameter as in the normal spicula, and, like the fruit-bearing spicula, dries up after the flowering season, which admits of the falling off and independent vegetation of the upper deformed portion. "In the monstrous flowers the inferior palea presents an increase in size, and a more or less perfect metamorphosis into the form of a vegetative leaf. Generally, and especially upwards from the second flower, this metamorphosis into a leaf provided with sheath, ligula, and lamina, is perfect; while even when the lowermost flower is partially abnormal, its inferior palea frequently forms an intermediate stage between the normal form and that of a vegetative leaf. The latter cases are naturally best suited for allowing us to obtain an insight into the manner in which the metamorphosis of the palea into the vegetative leaf takes place. It is seen by the comparison of several such intermediate stages that the normal palea does not solely correspond, as we might at first be inclined to admit, to the sheath of the vegetative leaf, and that the metamorphosis of the palea into a leaf does not consist in a budding forth of the lamina from the apex of the palea, but that a separation of the various parts of the palea, which are intimately fused together, takes place, and a dismemberment of them one from the other results. The normal palea possesses five nerves, of which the central one extends to the apex of the palea, while the lateral nerves are lost within the transparent scarious membrane. On its metamorphosis into a leaf the palea becomes elongated, its inferior portion surrounds the superiorly-situated portion of the spicula in the form of a vagina, while its upper portion bends more or less outwards, and becomes changed into the lamina of the leaf. In those paleæ in which this metamorphosis is merely indicated, the palea still retains nearly its proper form and the reddish colour which is diffused over the normal palea, and it is only its apex which has become thicker, of a greenish colour, uncinate and recurved superiorly: a separation into vagina, ligula, and lamina is not yet indicated. When the metamorphosis has advanced further, the whole palea is lengthened considerably, its upper portion has become thicker, green, and leaf-like, while the lower portion has retained its more delicate texture, transparency, and likewise frequently the reddish colouring; the nerves, which are still present to the number of five, have acquired a more parallel position in consequence of the elongation of the leaf, and become confluent towards the uncinately-curved apex of the latter. The margin is scarious, as in the normal paleæ. The separation into the various parts of the vegetative leaf now begins, and is terminated by the development of the ligula and the transverse separation between the upper green and the lower brighter-coloured parts of the palea."

The singular monstrosity of Hordeum cœleste, called by Royle H. ægiceras, and in this country Nepal Barley, seems to offer some corroboration of Mohl's theory. Prof. Henslow has shown (Hooker's Journal of Botany, I. 33), that the inferior palea occasionally forms an inverted flower-bud upon its midrib, a circumstance more likely to take place on an axis of inflorescence than on a leaf; this flower-bud may sometimes be found even more perfect than is shown in any of Henslow's figures. In a drawing made by myself many years since, I find the structure of the adventitious flowerbud represented so complete as even to present well defined hypogynous scales.

It is not improbable that the midrib of all inferior paleæ may be an organ distinct in nature from the palea itself, however much it may be adherent, as seems to be indicated by the strong tendency of the awn to separate from the palea itself, as an independent organ, the minimum of which we find in Bromus, and the maximum in such plants as Gymnothrix or Colobachne. It may even be, as Raspail and Henslow have suggested, that to all the ribs of the inferior paleæ are attached floriferous axes? If so, Brown's theory will not be affected; we shall only have to add to it what concerns the supposed floriferous axes.

L