v1] SPIKELET 85 
like organs or scales arranged on a short twig (Rachis, 
‘Rachilla), as it were, and is called a Spikelet, and the 
true flowers of the grass are contained in the angles 
between the scales—the scales being popularly known as 
“chaff”: technically as Glumes and Palee. 
In order to understand the structure of a spikelet the 
student should carefully dissect a large one, such as that 
of an Oat (Fig. 1). Proceeding from outside, he will find 
two large scales, like two boats, fixed below to the stalk 
(rachis) one just below the other, and shutting together 
as if hinged. These are called the glwmes—the inner 
Fig. 30. Diagram of a spikelet of a grass as it would appear if the 
internodes between each set of organs were elongated. g1 lower and 
g? upper glume. P lower and p upper palea of the second oldest 
flower F?. f a barren flower represented only by the axis and 
palee. Above it a single palea and the termination of the axis (a) 
of the spikelet. 
and outer glume respectively—and they enclose the rest 
of the spikelet. 
Inside them the axis or stalk (rachis) is continued for 
a short distance only and on its sides are hinged two 
