18 HORTUS GRAMINEL'S WOBU RNENSIS. 



or enclosed, by the husk, which was formerly the blossom, 

 {corolla); in other species the seed is naked, or so loosely attached 

 to the husk, as to separate from it in the process of cleaning. 



If the seeds of every species of grass were naked, their diminu- 

 tive size would hardly afford any obvious marks of distinction ; 

 but the coat, or seed-vessel, {pericardium), gives variety to the 

 form of those seeds, which are otherwise very much alike. 



The discriminating characters of the seed being thus minute, 

 and resting almost always on the various shades of dissimilarity 

 assumed by three or four principal figures, as, round, oval, oblong, 

 and acuminate or pointed, it is therefore easy to conceive, that 

 such distinctions are often readily perceived by the eye on com- 

 parison, but with difficulty conveyed by mere description ; indeed 

 it may be said, that a few hours' practice in comparing the 

 different kinds of seed with each other, is worth a volume of 

 description, for practical purposes. With this view, and also to 

 shew where the principal characters of distinction take their rise, 

 the following specimens, illustrative of the different genera that 

 are of most importance to the Agriculturalist are selected. 

 Fig. 1. Anthoxanthum odoratum, sweet-scented vernal-grass. 



The seed is covered with the husks of the blossom, 

 which adhere to it; the naked seed is nearly cylin- 

 drical, but tapering to a point at each end. The 

 diseased seed was produced by over-luxuriant plants, 

 during very wet weather. 

 Refer. 1. Fertile seed of the natural size, covered with the husks 

 of the blossom, as it appears on being cleaned and 

 made ready for sowing. 



1. The same magnified, shewing the bent awn, which 



is of a deep brown colour. 



2. Naked seed magnified. In this state the seed seldom 



appears ; as the husks, in general, adhere firmly to 

 the body of it, without being displaced by the pro- 

 cess of cleaning. 



3. Diseased seed. This affection of the seed of the 



grasses, which renders it quite abortive and use- 

 less, is most prevalent in wet damp seasons. 

 Fig. 2. Nardus stricta, upright mat-grass. 



The seed is covered with the husks of the blossom, 

 which closely adhere to it, nor open ; it is convex on 

 one side, and marked with a longitudinal furrow on the 



