IT.] 



GRAMINE^E. 



239 



The arrangement of the flowers of Barley requires 

 explanation. The i -flowered spikelets are arranged, 

 three together, on each joint of the axis (rachis) of the 

 inflorescence. In two-rowed Barley, the single floret of 

 the central spikelet only is fertile, the florets of the 2 

 lateral spikelets being barren ; in six-rowed Barley, each 

 of the 3 spikelets contains a fertile floret. 



Compare Rye with Barley. They are very similar at 

 first sight, but the spikelets in Rye, instead of being in 

 threes, are arranged singly upon the rachis, as in Wheat, 

 and each spikelet contains 2 lateral fertile florets and a 

 central floret, represented often by a minute rudiment or 

 pedicel simply, which is easily overlooked. 



