110 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 
scales. These throw up a culm several inches in thickness, 
covered with large scales, and grow many feet in height 
before they develop foliage-branches. In_ perennial 
stemmed bamboos may be observed scales also upon the 
lower portion of branches. These scales often show transi- 
tions to foliage-leaves, the upper bearing rudimentary 
blades. , 
Scales are always produced upon rhizomes. Their 
chief function appears to be that of protection to the 
growing point as the rhizome is forced through the soil. 
The scales develop rapidly in the form of a bud at the end, 
overlapping and sharp-pointed. The terminal portion 
of some vigorous rhizomes is as hard as wood and as sharp 
as an awl. By the elongation of the internodes, the scales 
behind the growing point are separated and may become 
lacerated or otherwise lose their original shape. 
141. Bracts are reduced leaves that are borne on shoots 
above the foliage-leaves. They may be discussed under 
two heads, those that are in or near the inflorescence, 
and those that are specially modified in the spikelet. The 
latter will be considered in a future paragraph dealing 
with the spikelet. 
Among flowering plants in general, bracts are usually 
found subtending each branch of the inflorescence down 
to the individual flower. In grasses these bracts are rarely 
present. In large panicles, as in some species of Bromus, 
the lower branches may be subtended by small bracts or 
there is at least a ridge representing a bract. Sheathing 
bracts are found in various genera, especially among 
Andropogonee, at the base of the entire inflorescence or 
of certain portions of it. In some grasses, the uppermost 
leaf below the inflorescence may have a much-reduced 
blade, for example many species of Poa, but such leaves 
