Vl] SPIKELET 85 



like organs or scales arranged on a short twig {Rachis, 

 Rachilla), as it were, and is called a Sjjikelef, and the 

 true flowers of the grass are contained in the angles 

 between the scales — the scales being popularly known as 

 " chaff": technically as Glumes and Palece. 



In order to understand the structure of a spikelet the 

 student should carefully dissect a large one, such as that 

 of an Oat (Fig. 1). Proceeding from outside, he will find 

 two large scales, like two boats, fixed below to the stalk 

 (rachis) one just below the other, and shutting together 

 as if hinged. These are called the glumes — the inner 



Fig. 30. Diagram of a spikelet of a grass as it would appear if the 

 internodes between each set of organs were elongated, g^ lower and 

 g" upper glume. P lower and p upper palea of the second oldest 

 flower F^. /a barren flower represented only by the axis and 

 paleae. Above it a single palea and the termination of the axis (a) 

 of the spikelet. 



and outer glume respectively — and they enclose the rest 

 of the spikelet. 



Inside them the axis or stalk {rachis) is continued for 

 a short distance only and on its sides are hinged two 



