villj classification of seedlings 133 



Seedlings. 



I. First expanded aerial leaves broad, bright green, 

 with 18—24 ribs. 



Barley. 



The blade tends to twist to the left : auricles, when well de- 

 veloped, long, pointed, and claw-like, embracing the glabrous sheath 

 in front. Ligule long, membranous, pointed and irregularly toothed. 

 The plumule emerges at the upper end of the grain, and the embryo 

 has 5 — 6 .secondary roots. 



II. First aerial leaves narrower, with not more than 

 11—13 ribs. 



A. Ligule long, rounded and toothed. 



Wheat 



The blade tends to twist to the left : auricles filiform and embrace 

 the densely pubescent sheath. Leaves g]-oen. Embryo with three 

 roots. 



B. Ligule short and toothed. Leaves with a reddish 



cast. 



(a) Blade and sheath softly hairy, the latter with scattered 

 long hairs, the former tending to twist to the left. 



Bye. 



The first leaf-sheath purple. Auricle-claws more triangular and 

 smaller than those of wheat, and the accompanying bristles are 

 fewer and shorter. Embryonic roots foiu*. 



(6) Blade and sheath glabrous or merely ciliate or silky, 

 the former tending to twist to the right. 



Oat. 



Auricles filiform. The plumule emerges above. The embryo 

 has three roots. 



A curious phenomenon is observed in some grasses 

 growing in high latitudes, or mountainous regions, or in 



