Ix] “ SEEDS ” 137 
Melica is rarely met with as “seed.” When it is, it has to be 
distinguished from the other “ Millet-seed” types which readily fall 
as naked fruits—see Phleum, Milium, &c. Agrostis, Glyceria and 
other corn-shaped “seeds” are easily distinguished. 
“Melica nutans, L. (Fig. 53). 
“Seed” coracle-shaped. Palea broad, parchment- 
like, elliptic convex, 5—6 mm. long, 5—7 nerved and 
Fig. 53. Coracle-shaped ‘“‘ seed” of Melica nutans, showing the broad, 
ribbed and keeled palea (c), and small rachilla (d). a, the ‘‘ seed,” 
nat. size; c and d, ditto, x8; b, the caryopsis, nat. size; e and f, 
ditto, x10. Nobbe. 
keeled, awnless, loose, purplish. Caryopsis ellipsoid-acute, 
2—3 mm. long, and easily separating, wrinkled, dark 
shining brown as if lacquered. 
M. uniflora, Retz. is commoner and very similar, but neither is 
often met with in “seed” grass, except as impurities among Fescues. 
The rare Panicum Crus-galli and allies, and the rice-like Leersia 
oryzoides as well as Cynodon Dactylon, come here. 
Panicums may occur in grass “seed” from America: Burchard 
describes them in detail. 
