v.] WHEAT. 45 



outer glumes, which enclose 3 to 5 closely imbricated 

 flowers, arranged alternately on opposite sides of the axis 

 of the spikelet. Each flower is enclosed between a 

 flowering-glume and a pale. The flowering-glume and 

 pale are opposite to each other, and inserted very nearly 

 at the same point ; the flowering-glume, however, is the 

 lower, and usually embraces the pale with its incurved 

 edges. It is similar in form and texture to the outer 

 glumes, and often terminates in a bristle (awti). The pale 



FIG. 35. The two outer glumes of a spikelet and the parts of a single floret 

 of Wheat. The two lowest scales, right and left, are the outer glumes ; 

 of the next pair, the scale to the right is the flowering-glume, that to the 

 left the pale. Then come the two minute lodicules, the three stamens, 

 and the pistil. 



is generally easily distinguished by its having two lateral 

 nerves and no midrib ; indicating, apparently, that it may 

 be composed of two organs cohering together. Between 

 the flowering-glume and the pale are the 3 free stamens 

 and the superior ovary crowned with 2 plume-like 

 stigmas. Note also 2 very minute scales, called lodi- 

 cules, representing a perianth, inserted under the ovary. 



