OF THE GLUM A. 191 



flowers, according to the genuine Linnaean idea of 

 this kind of calyx, taken from Pahn-trees. In these 

 the Spadlv is branched. 



, Glama.f. 148. Husk, the peculiar calyx of Grasses 

 and Grass-like plants, of a chaffy texture. These 

 husks are usually compressed, embracing each other 

 at the base, as in Phleum pratense, t, 1076. Some- 

 times they are depressed, flattened vertically, as in 

 Briza, t. 540 and \3\6. To the husk belongs the 

 Arista^ j\ 149, Beard or Awn, a bristle-shaped ap- 

 pendage, usually spiral, and possessing the property 

 of an hygrometer. This, however, is not always 

 present, even in diiferent individuals of the same 

 species. 



" Unfortunately for the science, 

 On the awn there *s no rehance." 



So says, or rather sings, with more truth than subli- 

 mity, the ingenious author of the IFiora Londinensis; 

 fasc. 6, t. 8. 



The spiral kind of awn is most frequently attached 

 to the Coi^olla of grasses, which is precisely of the 

 same husky nature as their calyx, and is, by some 

 botanists, considered as such. Specimens of «'/w??z^ 

 muticcEy beardless husks, are seen in Phalaris cana- 

 rieyisis, Engl Bot. t. 1310, and glumce aristatcB, 

 awiied ones, in Lagurus ovatus^ 1. 1334, and Stipa 

 pennata, t, 1356. 



