240 ; MONOHYPOGYNES. 
ORDER XIV. 
GRAMINE. 
(THE GRASS-TRIBE, ) 
Cuaracters.—Herbaceous annual or perennial plan 
roots fibrous, sometimes bulbous ; stem a cylindrical cu 
- generally fistulous, and with knots from which alterr 
sheathing leaves arise; a transverse partition at the knots;_ 
leaves arising as sheaths, long and narrow, and beri 
small collar (ligula) at their union with the sheath, w 
is slit in the whole length ; inflorescence a spike, spikelet, 
panicle ; flowers mostly hermaphrodite, occasionally monce- 
cious or polygamous. At the base of the sexual organs @ 
floral coverings or imbricated bractex, called Glumes and 
‘Palee. The most external are glumes,* two in number, 
alternate, and often unequal ; sometimes one is absent. 
next are palee,t also two in number, and alternate : see Fig 
14, page 88. Stamens hypogynous, generally 3, occasional} 
_ fewer, but seldom more ; filaments capillary ; anthers vel 
_ tile; ovary superior, surmounted by two styles, terminated 
_ glandular feathery stigmas, 1-celled, 1-seeded. At its ba 
there are frequently two little scales, called also the g/umella 
nectary ; pericarp a caryopsis closely adhering to the seed j 
ibryo at one side of the base of a farinaceous albumen. 
_ Examptes.—This very natural family is one of the m 
extensive and important in the vegetable kingdom. It con- 
sists of all those vegetables called Grasses, as Wheat, (Tri- 
ticum hybernum), Oat (Avena sativa) Barley (Hordeum dis- 
tichum), Reed (Arundo) Meadow-Grass (Poa), Fox-tail 
Grass (Alopecurus) Rice (Oryza), Indian Corn (Zea mais) 
Cone ( Saccharum : 
