p.9

9

The culture of ceralia goes back beyond all historical accounts-the most ancient Egyptian [mummy?] were found to contain grains of wheat.-

The original localities of wheat, rye, maize &c are supposed to have been quite limited, and these localities having been occupied by man, the plants have entirely disappeared as wild species, so that they are no where to be found in a wild state. The few localities where they are found wild are supposed to be only where they have escaped from cultivation.

The general appearance of the grasses in the landscape is interesting. They cover the surface as with a carpet of the softest and most pleasing green. They rise but a little height above the surface, and their light and elegant forms are waved about by the [gentlest] slightest breeze. The changes of color & condition as the season advances gives variety and continued interest to these appearances. Nothing can be more pleasing than a view from some elevated spot of a broad valley divided into fields of grass & grain, exhibiting their different shades of color & condition.-

[In] as we approach the tropics we find grasses [tropics grasses] attain a greater elevation. [The Panicum arborercus in Hindostan even over tops the trees-] The Bamboo with broad leaves also attains great height-& in our own southern states the cane rises to the height of 20 or 30 feet.-