, 1908-08-26

johnson grass, EXCEPT in being a grass, has
no relati ,nship to Guinea grass as we know
it in the West Indies. Again what we call
in ST. Croix Bay grass is called in
the English islands Devils grass, which is
supposed to be a corruption of Doobar
or Durvar grass, the East indian name for
it Further it is known in the States as
Bermuda Graes. Here we see that there
are three local names for the one grass, and
of course each is known where it belongs,
but not outside. If, however, when the
local name is used, the botanical name( cy-
nodon doctyIon) is appended, it becomes
certain what is meant.
Occasionally the addition of the botanical
name of the plant described is of practical
value, Al illustration of which has fallen
within the writer's experience. He was one
day passing up Kings Street, when a mer-
chant at his store door addressed him with
the question: "Do you know anything of q
tree called the goujdT "No, what is it
like ?" "Well, it is a large tree with leaves
and beans that cattle will eat. It grows in
Jamaica, and I like the description so well
that | mean to send for some seeds OF 1T. ="
what is the botanical name of it?" II
don't remember, but will get you the paper
which tells about it." The paper was
brought aud there stood the name Of the
plant it was calIiomdra sGman. 20, cali
andrd saman is the tree which we call in
st. Croix giant thibet." "Well, I should
not have thought of that, but l seq
now that the description answers very
well for it. $50 you see that you need not
send away for any seed" Certainly not,
/ have a tree in the yard at -- estate,
that gives seed enough to plant the whole
j land"
A gentleman here with some enterprise,
seeing bermuda grass recommended,
imported some seeds, and grew a crop of
Bay grass. Had the name CYn0d0n dacty-
lon been appended to the name Bermuda
grass, the trouble might have been saved.
The use of botanical names is, no doubt,
a difficulty where it is desired to give chill
dren such notions about plants as shall
induce them to take an interest in them
but a considerable amount Of knowledge Of
this sort cansb impaired without the use
of such names. In fac: it is possible, after
learning q few principles, to observe msny
things which are delightful to notice
without having any name whatever for the
plant i'll which we notice them.
For instance, the very different sizes of
plants, how some grow close to the ground
or even creep along it, while others grow
into bushes aud others again into tall trees
how some, though slender, raise themselves
from among the smaller vegetation into
light and air by various devices, such as
twlning, or by the use of teudrils of varied
and curious characters; the varions ways
IN which flowers attract insects; the many
aud remarkable devices by which plants
scatter their seeds or secure that ther are
dispersed abroad.
All such things are of the greatest inter
est. once the habit Of observation is aroused,
and it is sufficient to know the local name
of any plant that attracts us, if indeed we
can find ont what that name is; for il fire.
quently happens on enquiry that we can
only learn that the plant is "a weed" or is
"some bush or other. Possibly, even, it is
without a Local name. Yet in the glad eyes
Of the observer, who has seen a new wonder
in its structure Or behaviour, the weed" or
"some bush" is q treasure of great price,
giving him q peep into the glories of nature,
and helping to lead HIM on along a never
ending path of rational and elevating enjoy
ment.