BAMBOO

(Bambuse ), tribe of gra es, often tree-like (120 ft. high), growing in tropics, but spreading to sub-tropical and temperate zones; cultivation po ible even to snow-line of Him a lay as and Andes. The twenty-three genera are put to multifarious uses; succulent shoots and fruits for food; stems for buildings, masts, cooking ve els, writing-reeds, weapons; strips of outer cuticle are excellent material for basket-making and other wicker-work; in China, internal portions pulped for paper manufacture.