A(^KOSTIDE.E. 267 



ill pairs or threes in a 1-sided panicle, the lower on short bent capil- 

 lary pedicels, which break at maturity; flowers of the lower spikelet 

 small, of the upper perfect; empty glumes of loioer spikelet equal, 

 hyaline, 1-nervedor not, truncate, 0.3 mm. long, floret obtuse; floral 

 glume thin, 3-nerved, marginal nerves serrulate-ciliate, 4-5 mm. 

 long, often terminating in short stout awns, central nerve extend- 

 ing into an awn 10-15 mm. long; jialea lanceolate, its two awns 

 about 0.5 mm. long; vj)per spikelet witli em2)ty glumes 1 -nerved, 

 truncate, 0.3 mm. long; first outer glume bearing a bristle-like 

 awn about 2 mm. long; floret about 1 mm. long. Stamens 3 in 

 number, anthers oval, 0.3 mm, long. Grain linear-lanceolate, 

 round on the back, 3.3 mm. long; embryo oblong, 1 mm. long. 



Mexico, Botteri 700, Bourgeau 3369, Pringle 1739, SuGl. The 

 latter distributed as Brachyelytrum Pringhi Vasey. 



51. (113a). Bealia Scribn. Hack. True Grasses, 104 (1890). 



Spikelets 1-flowered, loosely paniculate ; rachilla articulate above 

 the lower gliimes, not extended above the flower; floral glume Avitli 

 a minute callus, bearded at the base. Empty glumes 2, persistent, 

 membranous softly hairy, slightly unequal, round on the back. 

 1 -nerved or nerveless; floral glume a little shorter tlian the empty 

 glume, soft, pubescent, 3-nerved, 2-lobed, a slender awn between 

 the lobes, only loosely enclosing the grain; palea pubescent, round 

 ■on the back, delicately 2-nerved. Stamens 3. Styles distinct; 

 stigmas racemose. Grain oval, only very loosely, if at all, enclosed 

 by glume and palea. 



There are two or more species found in Mexico. 



1. B. Mexicana Scribn. 1. c. 



An elegant tufted perennial, 20-40 cm. high, densely branched 

 at the base, usually light green more or less tinged with red. 

 Sheaths short, mostly distended, those of the culm 2 in num- 

 l)er; ligule acute, 2-3 mm. long; blades flat, conduplicate, 1-4 

 cm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Lower panicles partly enclosed, 

 the upper much exserted, simple, thin, linear to ovoid, 3-8 cm. 

 long; rays single, sparingly branched, the longest 1-3 cm. long, 

 flower-bearing on tlie outer two-thirds. Spikelets on pedicels 1-3 

 mm. long ; empty glumes linear, subacute, 4-5 mm. long. 



