132 INTEODUCTION. 



Fibrous. That is, consisting of many small fibres 

 or threads, by which tliey draw their nourishment 

 from the earth. 



Creepiis'G. Larger than fibrous, and extendin 

 more (horizontally) in the soil. 



Bulbous. Consisting of knobs, not of one uniform 

 texture, but composed of several concentric coats or 

 la^^ers, such as the onion or tulip. 



The stem of grasses is called culm, straw, or stem. 



Leaves or foliage are so called. 



Nerve : a name for the ribs or veins of leaves, when 

 simple or parallel. 



LiGULE. The little membranous appendage at the 

 suQimit of the leaf — sheaths of most grass (a fulcra). 



The inflorescence or arrangement of flowers on the 

 stem of grasses are in spikelets ; a spikelet contains a 

 number of diminutive flowers called florets ; a flower 

 consists of several distinct organs, most commonly of 

 the calyx cup, or outer green scale of the spikelet ; 

 each leaf of the calyx is called a sepal, a glume, 

 a bract, a palse, a husk, or chaff — they are the 

 leaves of the blossom, and serve to protect, sup- 

 port, and nourish the parts within ; they are re- 

 moved, if possible, in cleaning the seed, as in oats, 

 etc. The corolla, or inner circle of delicate leaves, 

 called petals (these are commonly known as the 

 leaves of the flower). The stamens, consisting of 

 two parts — the filament or stalk, and the anther. 

 The latter is the most important part ; it is a case or 

 bag filled with fertilizing dust, called pollen. The 

 pistil is the column in the centre of the flower, con- 

 sisting of three parts, the german or ovary, which is 



