20 



and a palea (A. 6) enclosing a perfect flower (A. 7) with three lodicules 

 (A. 9). But botanists who have paid special attention to the immense 

 family of Grasses, and have compared the spikelet with those of nearly- 

 allied species, consider that there are 3 glumes, and that what looks 

 like a third lodicule is really a very small palea. 



A number of bristles spring from below the base of the spikelet. 



The spikelets are arranged, two together, alternately on opposite 

 sides of the flower stalk (rachis), one of them with a stalk, the other 



sessile. 



The inflorescence is a large spreading panicle with the branches 

 more or less whorled. 



The culm is erect, but sometimes falls over, and then roots at every 

 node There is one bud at every node, and the roots spring out all 

 round it. This is one method of propagation under natural conditions. 



The sheaths of the leaves are often covered in the young state with 

 stinging hairs. The ligules are very short, edged with very short; 

 hairs. The blades are narrowed at the base, pointed at the ape x 

 rough. 



Explanation of Plate. 



A. Flowers of Sugar Cane. 

 Fig. 1. Spikelet. 



Fig. 2. Do. with glumes partly spread. 



Fig. 3. Do. do. widely spread. 



Fig. 4. First glume. 



Fig. 5. Second glume. 



Fig. 6, Third glume. 



Fig. 7. Pistil and stamens. 



Fie. 8. Do. with one stamen removed, showing lodicules. 



Fig. 9. Lodicules and palea. 



B. Flowers of Bahama Grass. 

 Fig. 1. Spikelet. 



Fig. 2. Glumes partly spread, showing rachilla a. 



Fig. 3. Third glume and palea spread, showing anthers. 



Fig. 4. Spikelet with pollen discharged from the anthers. 



Fig. 5. Spikelet opened. 



Fig. 6. Pistil and stamens. 



Figs. 7, 8. Pistil with lodicules. 



Fig, 9. Position of lodicules with reference to palea. 



C. Flowers of Guinea Grass. 

 Fig. 1. Spikelet. 



Figs. 2, 3, 4. Do. opened; a. first glume, b. second glume, c. third glume and 

 d. palea of staminate flower, e. glume and /. palea of terminal perfect 

 flower. 



Fig. 5. First glume. 



Fig. 6. Second do. 



Fig. 7. Terminal flower. 



Fig. 8. Staminate flower. 



Fig. 9. Pistil, lodicules and palea. 



Fig. 10. Lodicules. 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Report of Meeting of Board, held on 16th December. 



Board of Agriculture. 

 The usual monthly meeting of the Board of Agriculture was held 

 at Head Quarter House on Tuesday, 16th December, when there were 

 present : The Hon. the Colonial Secretary (Chairman), the Hon. the 



