VE PHYLLOSTACHYS FLEXUOSA 135 
A second form of spikelet with two flowers, the one sterile, 
the other fertile, is composed of a sheath with ligule and limbus 
enfolding the two flowers at their base, and of a keel-shaped 
scale at the base of which is developed the sterile flower. 
This latter is composed (1) of a membranous scale ; (2) of 
a longer and more pointed scale; (3) of a scale similar to 
the last, but with its point split along part of its length ; (4) 
of the reproductive organs in a condition of malformation. 
The fertile flower is placed a little above the sterile flower. 
- It is composed (1) of a membranous scale; (2) of a 
pointed scale; (3) of a scale with the point split; (4) of the 
reproductive organs perfectly formed and developed. 
Another form of spikelet is found, single-flowered and 
fertile, but lacking one organ in the shape of the keel-shaped 
scale. 
There is yet one spikelet to be examined. It is terminal, 
placed at the end of the spike, and differing from the others. 
It is composed of four parts only: (1) a sheath with lgule 
aud limbus; (2) a pointed scale; (3) a scale with the point 
split; (4) the reproductive organs entire and perfect. The 
keel-shaped scale and the membranous scale are wanting. 
On some spikes spikelets have been found, fertile and 
single-flowered, with six floral envelopes instead of five. In 
such cases there are two membranous scales instead of one. 
Rarely spikelets are found with three flowers—two sterile 
and one fertile—and in some cases spikelets with two flowers, 
both being fertile and fully developed. 
During the progress of growth the organs composing the 
spike are green, tinged with violet, but as soon as the 
inflorescence is developed and the stamens are set free, the 
