PHANEROGAM I A 



527 



Rice (Fig. 526) has a complete androecium ; that of the Bambuseae is similar and 

 also has three lodicules, and in Strcptochfrta there is a normal monocotyledonous 

 type of flower with all five whorls of members present (cf. the diagram in Fig. 514). 



The lodicules can on this evidence be 

 regarded as corresponding to the inner 

 whorl of the perianth. Possibly the 

 superior palea represents two coherent 

 leaves of the outer whorl, but proof of 

 this is at present wanting. 



The length of the staminal 

 filaments, their attachment a 

 little below the middle of the 

 anthers, and the extended surface 

 offered by the feathery stigmas 

 are of value for wind-pollination 

 (Fig. 523). The fruit of the 





Fie;. .123. fr'i'ftiK-H i luli', i'. A. Spikelct (compare Fig. 

 .VJ2)with two open Mowers below which the two sterile 

 glumes are seen(x 3); B, Flower; tin 1 two lodicules 

 arc in front, the superior ]>alea behind ; the ovary bears 

 two feathery stigmas (x 12); C, a single lodicule 

 (X 12); D, ovary seen from the side with the >talk 

 of one of the removed stigmas ( x 12). - 



KKI. .V24. Part of median longitudinal section of a 

 grain of Wheat, showing emliryo and scutellum 

 (so); tv, vascular bundle of scntellnm ; ve, its 

 columnar epithelium ; /', its ligule ; e, sheath- 

 ing part of the cotyledon ; pv, vegetal 

 of stem : hji, hypocotyl ; I, epiblast ; r, radicle : 

 <!, root-sheath ; m, micropyle ; p, funieulus ; vp, 

 its vascular bundle ; /, lateral wall of groove. 

 (X 14.) 



Grasses is termed a caryopsis ; in it the pericarp and seed-coat are 

 intimately united. The embryo lies in contact with the endosprrm 

 by means of its cotyledon ; this forms the SCUTELLUM and in germina- 

 tion serves as an absorbent organ by means of which the reserve 

 materials in the endosperm are taken up by the seedling (Fig. 524). 



The most important economic plants belonging to this order are the Cereals 



