A VEX A S A 'I IV A. 177 



g. The three flowers inclosed by the empty glumes ; 



their relative size 2 and position on 

 //. The flattened axis on which they are borne, the 



rhachis of the spikelet. 

 /'. The tufts of minute hairs at the base of the lowest 



flower. 

 j. Draw a spikelet, showing the empty glumes and 



flowers separated from one another. 



2. The structure of the flowers. Detach the lowest flower 

 in the spikelet. Note 



a. The bract, flowering glume, 3 which almost incloses 

 the flower. It sometimes bears a long bristle-like 

 appendage or awn on its outer surface ; note 

 position when present. Detach this bract entire, 

 and note the size, shape, surface, texture, notched 

 apex and number of nerves. Draw. 



From another flower cautiously detach the flowering 

 glume by cutting and tearing it away piece by piece, leav- 

 ing only a bit of its base, being careful not to injure 



b. r Y\\& flower proper. Observe 



i. A large bract-like body, the palet, 4 its infolded 

 margins, shape, nerves, and the presence and 

 position of the trichomes on its outer surface ; 

 contrast it with the flowering glume. Draw ; 

 also make a diagram of a transverse section 

 at its middle. 



ii. Two small bract-like bodies, the lodicules, 

 situated between the edges of the palet. Ob- 

 serve their shape and texture. Draw. 



7 The third is rudimentary and lies close to the inner side of the upper 

 flower. 



8 Called the lower palet in most systematic works. 

 4 Called the upper palet in most systematic works, 



