GLUMIFLOR.S:. 293 



dissolves the endosperm by means of the peculiar epithelial cells developed on 

 the dorsal surface. The radicle, on germination, is obliged to perforate a mass 

 of cells derived from the suspensor and which form the "root-sheath" 

 (coleorhiza, Fig. 293) round its base. In addition to the tap-root, lateral roots 

 are frequently developed before germination ; these quickly break through, 

 and later on are followed by others which appear at the base of the leaf (Figs. 

 293, 294). 



The DISTRIBUTION OF THE FRUIT is most frequently effected by the wind. The 

 spirally-twisted and hygroscopic awn which persists on the fruits of some species 

 (Avena, Stipa, etc.) assists in their dissemination, and even helps to bury them 

 in the ground. 



The two preceding orders are more closely related to each other than they 

 are 10 the Grammes. 



The generic differences are chiefly founded on the form of the inflorescence, 

 the number and sex of the flowers in the spikelets, the shape and relative 

 length of the pales, awns, etc. In addition to these the structure of the fruit 

 and seed presents a great many differences ; some have compound starch-grains, 

 while in others they are single ; some have 1 layer of aleurone-cells, others have 

 several (Fig. 292), etc. 



1. BAMBUSE^E. Tall Grasses with woody, very siliceous stems 

 which bear many branches in the axils of the leaves. 6 stamens. 

 Bambusa (Bamboo). 



2. ORYZE.E. Oryza saliva (Rice) is a herbaceous marsh-plant, 

 with panicle and small, 1-flowered spikelets, with two small glumes 

 and two large, boat-shaped, strongly siliceous pales. 6 stamens. 

 Leersia. Lygeum. Pliarus. Zizania aquatica. 



3. MAYDILE. Zea mais (Indian-corn, Maize) ; the spikelets are 

 unisexual ; the -spikelets in a terminal panicle ; the ? -spikelets 

 closely crowded and arranged in many rows in a thick, axillary 

 spike, enclosed by large sheathing-leaves. The ? -spikelets are 

 l-(2-) flowered ; the ovary bears one, long, filamentous style, with 

 bifid stigma. Euchlsena ; Coix. 



4. ANDROPOGONEYE. Saccharum (Sugar-cane) ; the spikelefcs are 

 exceptionally small, 1-flowered, and borne in pairs in many- 

 flowered, long-haired panicles. Tall grasses with solid, sappy 

 stem. Andropogon. 



5. FESIUCE^;. Grasses with panicle (or spike-like panicle) and 

 2-several-flowered spikelets. Glumes small, in each case shorter 

 than the spikelet. Festaca (Fescue) and Bromus (Brome, Fig. 

 288) have the awn placed at the apex of the pale, or slightly 

 below it. Festuca has perennial species, with only a sparsely- 

 branched panicle with branches solitary or in pairs, and round 

 spikelets ; the leaf-sheath is widely open. Bromus has the 



