in botany, denotes a soft woolly beard, on which the seeds of some plants hang pendulous; as in millet, reeds, and hay.

PAN.CUM, in botany; a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the triandra class of plants. The calyx is trivolved; the third valvule being very small.

The species are, 1. Polystachion; 2. Verticillatum; 3. Glaucum; 4. Viride; 5. Italicum; 6. Crus corvi; 7. Crus galli; 8. Coronum; 9. Brissoides; 10. Dimidiatum; 11. Hirtellum; 12. Conglomeratum; 13. Sanguinale; 14. Dactylion; 15. Filiforme; 16. Lineare; 17. Diffusum; 18. Elatum; 19. Compositum; 20. Halvium; 21. Dichotomum; 22. Ramorum; 23. Coloratum; 24. Repens; 25. Miliaceum; 26. Capillare; 27. Grossarium; 28. Latifolium; 29. Clandestinum; 30. Arboresecens; 31. Curvatum; 32. Virgatum; 33. Patens; 34. Brevisfolium; 35. Divaricatum.

At this place it is proper to take notice of the Guinea-grass. By some authors it is classed as a panicule; but by expert botanists, who have lately examined the plant, it is the holcus polygamum. It is a native of Africa, and brought from thence to the West Indies. About 70 years ago Mr John Ellis got some birds from the coast of Guinea, and with them some seeds for their support: The birds dying soon after, the seeds were thrown out of doors as useless. From these seeds a new luxuriant grass sprung up, which attracted the notice of Mr Ellis and his family. He had a horse, and afterwards a cow, brought where it was; both of them eat of it greedily. It was then transplanted into a garden, and gradually cultivated: at this day it is common all over Jamaica; and next to the sugar-cane and plantain-tree, the greatest bleffing to that island. It agrees with every soil and situation; and in many of the rocky and barren parts of Jamaica, which formerly could not support a goat, may now be seen large herds of cattle, sheep, and horses, in excellent order, and fitted for all the purposes of rural economy or the market. Since Guinea-grass became so common, salted beef and pork is but little used by the white people in Jamaica. Fresh beef, mutton, pork, and poultry, are in abundance; and on the whole cheaper than salted meats from Ireland or America: By these means, too, people live better, and enjoy as good health as others in Europe.

Guinea-grass is best propagated by the roots, and planted about three feet asunder. In six months it grows very tall, so as often to be six feet high. At this time horses and cattle are turned in to eat what they please of it; and while they plough up the surface of the ground with their feet, they shake the ripe seed. The rank grass is afterwards cut down, burned off, and the old shocks rooted up and thrown away. The seeds vegetate and throw up a plentiful crop; which with common attention will last many years.

For this purpose a Guinea-grass pasture requires to be kept clean, and supplied in particular places as may be necessary from time to time. The fields ought to be divided into parks by fences, and the cattle shifted from one inclosure to another occasionally.