HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 17 



4. Awnless, (mutica), wanting the awn. 



5. Ribbed, (nervosa), when the valve has nerves, or veins, which 



run from the base to its apex, as in Poa nervosa. 



6. Fringed, (ciliata), as in Phleum pratense. 



The valves are also distinguished according to their figure ; as 

 oval, oblong, concave, egg-shaped. 



The stamina are the male parts of fructification. Each consists 

 of three parts the filament, the anther, and the pollen, or flower- 

 dust. The filament is a long thread-like substance, which sup- 

 ports the anthers. The anther is a cellular body, of a linear figure, 

 generally cloven at both ends ; it contains the pollen, which is 

 essential to the production of the seed. It varies in respect of 

 colour, as, 



White, in Phleum echinatum. 



Yellow, in most grasses. 



Saffron, in Bromus erectus. 



Purple, in Melica cccrulea. 



The pistil, (pistillum), is the female part of the flower, and like- 

 wise consists of three parts the germen, the style, and the 

 stigma. 



The germen is situated at the bottom of the flower ; it appears 

 a pellucid globular body, but, in general, it requires the aid of a 

 microscope to see it distinctly. It is the rudiment of the future 

 seed. 



The style consists of two feather-like bodies, seated on the top 

 of the germen : they are generally bent back, or reflexed. 



The stigma terminates the style, and gives to it that feather-like 

 appearance. 



The nectary, (nectarium) , is likewise a part of the flower of some 

 grasses ; it is supposed to serve the purpose of a reservoir for the 

 honey-juice : in structure it generally resembles the corolla husks ; 

 but it is very minute, tender, and finely transparent. The terms 

 employed to describe the corolla, likewise apply to this. It is not 

 found in the genus Nardus, Eriophorum, Alopecurus, or Sesleria. 



VI. 



Varieties of the Seed. 



The discriminating characters of the seeds of grasses are con- 

 fessedly minute ; but as the form of the seed is never known to 

 vary, except by disease, the marks of distinction it offers are of 

 the most unerring kind. In most grasses the seed is covered, 



c 



