Mr. Woops on the Genera of European Grasses. 7 
frequently some small scales, which Linnæus called nectaries, but which are 
considered by some botanists as forming the true corolla of grasses, and by 
Mr. Brown as vestiges of the interior series of a hexapetalous corolla. "They 
are the lodicule of P. de Beauvois, and the glumellæ of Richard. Sguamula 
is adopted by Kunth, and seems unobjectionable, as simply describing the 
object, without determining its use or involving any theory of its origin. 
Mr. Brown* has proposed a division of the grasses into three unequal 
groups, founded on the tendency of the genera to perfect the lower, the upper, 
or only the central floret. In the first group the number of florets is uncertain. 
When there is only one, the outer valve of the corolla is at the inside of the 
outer valve of the calyx. When there are two or more, they are either all 
perfect, or the imperfection is in the upper florets. In the second group the 
florets are either one or two; the more perfect floret being always next to the 
inner valve of the calyx. The third group has a perfect intermediate floret, 
and one on each side either barren or still further reduced to a single valve. 
The first contains the majority of the European grasses. The second, Sorghum, 
Andropogon, Saccharum and Panicum. The third, Hierochloa, Anthoxanthum, 
and perhaps Phalaris. 
Where the object in view is an arrangement to facilitate the progress of the 
student, we ought carefully to describe appearances. But in taking more scien- 
tific views on the subject, we may be allowed to determine the nature of a part 
by analogy, and pronounce that to be an abortive floret, which to unpractised 
eyes appears to be only an additional glume. And perhaps in grasses the 
most simple way is to consider every additional part without the palea as the 
indication of an abortive floret. The tendency of certain plants towards a 
particular structure, even when the structure is not developed, is very im- 
portant, and was perhaps first distinctly implied in the observations of 
Mr. Brown; but we must be careful in following this distinguished naturalist 
not to push our theories too far, nor decide upon this tendency without the 
support either of a very close analogy, or of some indications in the plant 
itself. Where there is no certain and definite character, different persons will 
judge of relationship in very different manners. What seems clear and un- 
questionable to one is very doubtful to another: and in arranging groups 
* This statement is taken from the English Flora. 
