284 MONOCOTYLEDONES. 



Juncus (Rush) has glabrous foliage-leaves, generally cylindrical, 

 rarely flat ; the edges of the leaf -sheath are free (" open " leaf- 

 sheaths) and cover one another. The capsule, 1- or 3-locular, 

 with many seeds. Luzula (Wood-Rush) has flat, grass-like leaves 

 with ciliated edges ; the edges of the leaf-sheath are united 

 ("closed " leaf-sheath). The capsule unilocular and 3-seeded. 

 Prioninm : S. Africa ; resembling a Tacona. 



The interior whorl of stamens, in some species, disappears partially or 

 entirely (J. supinus, capitatus, conglomerates, etc.) 



Some of the numerous Juncws-species (e.g. J. effusus, glaucus, confjlomeratus, 

 etc.), have false, lateral inflorescences, the axis of the inflorescence being pushed 

 to one side by its subtending leaf, which apparently forms a direct continua- 

 tion of the stem, and resembles it both in external and internal structure. 

 The foliage-leaves of this genus were formerly described as " unfertile stems," 

 because they are cylindrical, erect, and resemble stems, and consequently the 

 stem was said to be "leafless": J. ejfusus, glaucus, conglomerate. Stellate 

 parenchymatous cells are found in tbe pith of these stems and in the leaves. 

 Other species have distinct terminal inflorescences and grooved leaves ; J". 

 bufonius (Toad-rush), compressus, and others. The inflorescences most often 

 present the peculiarity of having the lateral axes protruding above the main 

 axis. Their composition is as follows: The flowers have either no bracteoles, 

 and the inflorescences are then capitulate ; or they have 1-sevei'al bracteoles. 

 Each branch has then, first, a 2-keeled fore-leaf placed posteriorly (" basal- 

 leaf "), and succeeding this are generally several leaves borne alternately and in 

 the same plane as the basal-leaf, the two uppermost (the " spathe-leaves ") being 

 always barren ; those which lie between the basal-leaves and the spathe-leaves 

 are termed ' intermediate-leaves." If only branches occur in the axils of the 

 basal-leaves, then the succeeding branches are always borne on the posterior 

 side of the axis, and form a fan 1 ; if the hasal-leaf is barren, and if there 

 is only one fertile intermediate-leaf, then the lateral axes are always on the 

 upper side, and a sickle'-libe inflorescence occurs ; if there are 2 fertile 

 intermediate-leaves, then a dichasium is formed, and in the case of there 

 being several, then a raceme, or spike. 



Juncacece are, by several authors, classed among the Liliiflorae, but there are 

 so many morphological and partly anatomical features agreeing with the two 

 following orders, that they may, no doubt, most properly be regarded as the 

 starting point of these, especially of the Cyperacecc, which they resemble in the 

 type of flowe*s, the inflorescence, the type of mechanical system, and the stomata. 



POLLINATION by means of the wind. Cross-pollination is often established by 

 protogyny. J. bufonius has partly triandrous and cleistogamic, partly hexan- 

 drous, open flowers. DISTRIBUTION. The 200 species are spread over the entire 

 globe, but especially in cold and temperate countries ; they are seldom found in 

 the Tropics. USES. Very slight ; plaiting, for instance. 



Order 2. Cyperacese. The majority are perennial (seldom 



1 " Fan " and " sickle " are adopted as terms for these inflorescences from the 

 German "fachel" and " sichel." 



