8 THE SMALL GRAINS 



lodicules are present, the swelling of their bases causes the 

 separation of the lemma and palea, and thus aids in the 

 opening of the flower. As to the succession of flowering 

 of the spikelets, in panicles the terminal spikelets of the 

 panicle and its branches flower first, and from there down- 

 ward. In spikes the middle spikelets or those just above 

 the middle are first to flower. Within the spikelet flower- 

 ing progresses from below upward. 



6. Reproductive organs. Flowers of the cereals 

 contain usually three stamens, but in rice there are six 

 arranged often in two whorls of three each. One stamen, 

 the earlier and better developed of the three, always 

 stands above the lemma, while the other two stand in 

 front of the keels of the palea. The stamens have slender, 

 distinct filaments, which in the closed flower are very 

 short, but at the time of flowering elongate rapidly. 

 They soon tip over in such a way that the main mass of 

 the pollen is emptied. The narrow-linear anthers have 

 a fine connective and are versatile; that is, the filament 

 is attached below the middle by a tapering end, which 

 condition assists in the scattering of the pollen by the 

 wind. The pollen is finely granular, spherical and smooth, 

 and discharged in abundance. 



The pistil includes an ovary with one ovule and two 

 usually sessile stigmas. The stigmas, distinguished by 

 their papillate cells, are much branched, the branches 

 being usually arranged in a spiral. These branches bear 

 smaller papillae, and the entire system, possessing a large 

 surface, is well adapted to catch pollen carried by the 

 wind. 



7. Fertilization. Cereals, so far as known, are anemo- 

 philous; that is, fertilized through the medium of the 

 wind. Usually both self- and cross-fertilization are at 



