250 OF THE GLUME 



4, Spatha,f» 147- Sheath, a covering which 

 bursts longitudinally, and is more or less 

 remote from the flower. This is exempli^ 

 fied in the Snow-drop, Galaiithus nivalis, 

 t. 167, the various species of ^arcissuSi 

 t. 17, 27s and 276, and the Arum, 1. 1298. 

 The Spatha of the latter encloses a Spadix, 

 or elongated receptacle, common to many 

 flowers, according to the genuine Linnaean 

 idea of this kind of calyx, taken from Palm- 

 trees. In these the Spadix is branched. 



5. Ghima,f. 148. Husk, the popular calyx of. 

 Grasses and Grass-like plants, of a chaffy 

 texture. These husks are usually com- 

 pressed, embracing each other at the base, 

 as in Phleum pratevse, t. IO76. Some- 

 times they are depressed, flattened verti^ 

 cally, as in Brizay t. 540 and 1316. To 

 the husk belongs the Arista, /'. 149, Beard 

 or Awn, a bristle-shaped appendage, usually 

 spiral, and possessing the property of an 

 hygrometer. This, however, is not always 



has hitherto erroneously been supposed to have an amen- 

 turn for the fertile flower. The true nature of the cover- 

 ing of the seedj as well as of the common stalk, proves 

 it otherwise. 



