696 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



alternate, with split sheaths {figs. 351 g, and 1080), and a'ligule 

 at the base of the lamina {fig. 351, %). Flowers perfect or uni- 

 sexual, arranged in spiked (/^. 395), panicled {fig. 396), or race- 

 mose locustae or spikelets; or solitary. No true perianth, its 

 place being supplied by imbricated bracts, of which there 

 are commonly 2, called glumes, or rarely 1, at the base of the 

 solitary flower, or at the base of each locusta {figs. 382 

 and 1081, 5^/, gl, and \Q%2,ge,gi). Occasionally the glumes 

 are altogether absent. Each flower is also usually furnished 

 with two other alternate bracts {palece) {figs. 1082, pe, pi, and 

 1084 and 1085), or sometimes the inner palea p, i is wanting ; and 

 2 or 3 scales {lodiculce or glumellules) {figs. 1081, p, p, and 1083, 

 j9), the latter also are sometimes wanting. Stamens 1 — 6 or more, 

 frequently 3 {figs. \0S3— 1085); filaments capillary (figs. 490 

 and 1084); anthers versatile {figs. 490 and 586). Ovary superior 

 {fig. 1083), 1 -celled, with a solitary ascending ovule ; stigmas 

 feathery or hairy (Jigs. 586 and 1083). Fruit a caryopsis {figs. 

 686 and 687). Seed with mealy albumen {fig. 687, a), and a 



Fig. 1083. 



Fig. 1084. Fig. 1085. Fig, 1086. 



Fig. 10&3. Fertile flower of the Oat, without the palese. p. GlnmelluleB. 



c. Stamens, o. Ovary, s, s. Feathery stigmas Fig. 1084. One of the 



florets of a species of Meadow Grass (Poa pratcnsis') Fig. 1085. One of 



the florets of the Hard Fescue Grass (Ftstuca duriuscitla) Fig. 1086. 



The Embryo of the Oat. a. Lateral swelling, c. Cotyledon, r. Kadicle. 

 /. Slit corresponding to the plumule. 



lenticular embrj'o {figs. 687 and 1086), lying on one side at the 

 base of the albumen (fig. 687, c, g, r). 



Distribution, Sfc. — Grasses are universally distributed over the 

 globe. In temperate and cold climates they are herbaceous 

 and of moderate lieight, while in tropical countries they become 

 shrubby and arborescent, and sometimes grow to the height of 



