274 THE OKCHAED GEASS. 



the pales, are seen expanded, one a little above the other, as 

 in the glumes ; next, 3 stamens with gossamer filaments 

 and versatile anthers ; lastly, an ovary with 2 feathery 

 stigmas. In a few days the ovary is matured into a caryop- 

 sis a one-seeded fruit like a grain of wheat, whose shell or 

 pericarp is inseparable from the seed. 



Fertilization. There are no bright colors in these 

 flowers to catch the eye of the insect tribes, nor honey to 

 attract them. Insect aid in fertilization does not here seem 

 necessary. The pollen is conveyed by the wind. To this 

 end, the Grasses grow together in dense crowds and the 

 pollen is superabundant, probably a thousandfold, filling 

 the breeze so that the plume of every stigma is sure to catch 

 at least one grain either from its own or other anthers. 



The Name, Poa pratensis Poa, Gr. for hay or fodder ; 

 pratensis, of the meadow. This plant is generally known as 

 June Grass, as its grains are often ripe in June. We have 

 other species of Poa, flowering a month later, among which, 

 is the Blue Grass (P. compressa}, also the beautiful' red- 

 tinted Fowl-Meadow (P. serotina). P. dnnua is the low, 

 soft Lawn-grass, flowering in April. * 



Scientific Terms. Caryopsis. Culm. Glumes. Inaxial root. 

 Ligule. Pales. Panicle. Sheath. Spikelets. 



LXXIII. THE ORCHARD GRASS. 



Description. This is a conspicuous and very common 

 herb in orchards and groves. It is tall and stout compared 

 with Spear-grass ; in color, glaucus or seagreen. 



* The Annual Meadow Grass (P. dnnua) and Shepherd's Purse are, perhaps, the 

 most common plants in the world. On almost every waste spot where even a weed 

 can grow on the bank by the roadside, along the garden path, between the stones of 

 the city pavement, high up in the mountain as well as in the rich meadow at its foot 

 these modest plants display their cheerful verdure. 



