1912} | Clarke,— Suggestion for Summer Observations 181 
Although to see the lodicules thoroughly requires a compound 
microscope (binocular preferable) a hand-lens shows their presence, 
and enables one also to make accurate and useful observations as to 
hours of anthesis, duration of anthesis, time required for emptying 
the anthers, and facts about the stigmas. A folding chart might be 
made of paper ruled in squares, with the hours and half-hours of the 
day on top, and names of grass-species observed, on the left side, with 
space for notes as to whether the atmosphere is dry or damp. A v 
might represent an open flower, dots stand for pollen being shed, 
and a fringed line represent stigmas in good condition.— suggestions 
upon which students will soon learn to improve. 
Note: When I wrote the above account of my last summer's 
observations on grass anthesis, I hoped it would appear early enough 
in the season to suggest to others to investigate the interesting subject 
for themselves. I fear that by the end of September, there will not 
be many grass-species in bloom, but I am sincerely glad of a delay 
which enables me to add some of the results of my more recent observa- 
tions, extending, modifying or reversing those of last year. 
I stated that Poa annua can be found in bloom at any hour of the 
day, but I find that by far the greater number of blossoms open in the 
early morning, say from 3 to 7 4. M. On one plant in my border, 
I counted about 30 spikelets with open flowers — 2 or 3 in each spike- 
let. 
Last summer, I only once found an oat blossom open; this year, 
I have found them open often, both in a vase in the house, and out 
of doors,— the latter was in the afternoon. 
Last year I found no open flowers of Glyceria canadensis; this year, 
I found many; the time was 7 4. M. on July 6th. I have also exam- 
ined the lodicules of Glyceria grandis, G. borealis, G. acutiflora and G. 
pallida, all of which species grow at Magnolia, though I do not remem- 
ber seeing G. grandis here before this summer. The lodicules and 
stigmas of G. pallida I could not distinguish from those of Poa annua, 
but the other four have stigmas differing from the usual grass-ty pe, 
and lodicules square-topped, that is, no uninflated scale-like top. 
Sometimes, under the microscope, they take the form of those 
“bracket-fungi” that grow on tree-trunks. I found Glyceria pallida 
with open flowers at 11 4. M.; in the afternoon, many more opened in a 
vase in the house, and next morning, several were open, the pretty 
red-brown anthers contrasting pleasingly with the pale green of the 
spikelets. 
