128 



THE SMALL GRAINS 



basal portion being somewhat elongated, while those of 

 two-rowed varieties are broadest in the middle and 

 symmetrical in contour (Fig. 40). 



120. Distribution. Erect six-row barley was ap- 

 parently cultivated in the most ancient times. The spike 



is accurately shown on some of the 

 oldest European coins. At present 

 it is grown in southern Europe, 

 particularly in the higher Alpine 

 districts, sometimes with two-row 

 barley at the upper limit of cereal 

 cultivation, also in mixtures with 

 common barley in the Mediterra- 

 nean region. In Germany it is 

 little grown. A small quantity is 

 produced in upper Bavaria, and 

 in Westphalia. There is much un- 

 certainty about its distribution 



^'^ow^ey^xli SlX " because ^ of confusion with common 

 i barley. A number of varieties 



are grown in eastern Asia. In Great Britain it is known 

 as winter barley. 



121. Subdivisions of erect six-row barley. The most 

 common, widely distributed and representative group is 

 the pyramidal barley. It corresponds in form to the fan 

 barljey of the two-row subspecies. It has pale yellow 

 pyramidal spikes, and long ; spreading awns. It is the 

 group illustrated on jancient coins, ; It is the winter barley 

 of ( jreat Britain apd gi'Qwn ^-considerably in southern 

 Europe and Japan. '\ The group of parallel barleys has, 

 on the other hand, long parallel spikes, w r ith close lying 

 awns. It is- grown in Jap&n arid Abyssinia. Two other 

 groups of black barleys and one similar to parallel barley, 



