Order Clxxv
CYPERACEÆ.
The sedges, as these may be ca led in English, differ from grasses not only in their comparative worthlessness, and the different developement of the parts of fructification, but also in the sheath, at the base of the leaves, being closed up, not slit. As objects of ornament they are of no value, and as subjects of agricultural interest of but little; they are, moreover, of little utility to man. They are chiefly valuable for covering, with the appearance of herbage, waste, and barren, marshy, or sandy tracts, in which little else will thrive. The roots of Carex arenária, disticha, and hírta, possess diaphoretic and demulcent properties, whence they are sometimes called German sarsaparilla. Some of the Scirpuses and Cypéruses have eatable nutty roots; the stems of Scirpus lacústris, Eleócharis palústris, Cypérus téxtilis, and others, are manufactured into mats and the bottoms of chairs; the roots of Cypérus esculéntus abound in oil, a very unusual circumstance; the papyrus of the ancients was manufactured from the stem of Cypérus papýrus; finally, the roots of Cyperus lóngus, odorátus, and others, are fragrant. 74 Cládium Schr. 122 Isolépis R. Br. 119 Schœ'nus Vahl 120 Rhynchospóra Vahl 121 Fimbristylis Vahl 123 Scírpus R. Br. 124 Eleócharis R. Br. 125 Erióphorum P. S. 126 Trichóphorum P.S. 127 Cypérus W. 128 Papýrus Lk. 129 Kyllinga W. 130 Maríscus Vahl 1947 Cárex W. 1948 Cobrésia W. 1949 Uncínia Rich.
ORDER CLXXVI.
AROIDEE.
Herbaceous, stemless, or caulescent plants, with broad fleshy leaves, approaching very nearly to those of Dicotyledons. Their flowers are enclosed within a spatha, and are imbedded on a simple cylindrical spadix. Some are natives of Europe and of similar latitudes, but the greater number inhabit the tropics, where they often climb by their rooting stems to the tops of lofty trees. They have thick fleshy roots, which, when fresh, contain an acrid stimulating principle, which is so volatile that it passes off freely upon the application of heat; whence the roasted roots of many species are among the most common articles of negro food. The leaves of A'rum seguínum are so paralyzing, that if chewed they deprive one of the power of utterance; whence in the West Indies it is called the dumb cane; the leaves of Dracóntium pertúsum are acrid; fresh gathered, and applied all over the surface of the body, they produce a slight inflammation and blistering, and are used in Demerara, by the natives, in dropsical cases. The root of A'rum triphyllum, boiled in milk, has been found efficacious in consumption. The flowers of many species are highly fetid. Typhineæ, or bullrushes are very like Cyperaceæ in habit. Pistiaceæ are floating plants, in which the organs of fructification are reduced to the very simplest state. Juncagineæ are obscure marsh or river plants. Tribe 1. GENUINE 252 Póthos W. 755 A'corus W. 758 Tácca W. 2006 A'rum W. 868 Dracóntium W. 869 Cálla W. 756 Oróntium W. 2005 Caládium W. 876 Roxburghia Dr. 769 Aspidistra Ker 757 Tupístra B. M. 4 A NATURAL ARRANGEMENT.
Tribe 2. TYPHINEΣ. 1945 Týpha W.
Tribe 3. 1946 Spargánium W.
PISTIACEE. 1939 Lémna W.
Tribe 4. JUNCAGINEE. 109 Leptánthus Mich. 854 Aponogéton W. 840 Scheuchzéria W. 317 Potamogeton W. 841 Triglóchin W.