THE GRASS FAMILY. 139 



two glumes. Observe the form and texture of the glumes. 

 Are they symmetrical or one-sided ? Is their surface 

 smooth or hairy? Are there any longitudinal ribs or 

 " nerves "' ? 



III. Ascertain how many flowers there are in a spikelet. 

 Each of the fully developed flowers is subtended by a 

 floral glume and a palet. The former, in the bearded vari- 

 eties of wheat, bears at its apex a long, barbed awn. 



IV. Compare carefully the floral glume and palet, not- 

 ing their differences of form, position, and structure. 



V. Separate the floral glume and palet so as to expose 

 the parts of the flower within. Examine flowers of differ- 

 ent ages until the essential organs are found in good 

 condition. How many stamens are there? How many 

 stigmas? Look for some minute, scale-like bodies, lodi- 

 cules. How many are there, and where are they placed ? 



VI. Construct a diagram of the flower, showing the 

 position of the floral glume, palet, lodicules, stamens, and 

 pistil. 1 



VII. Open different flowers of the same head, and con- 

 tinue the examination until the relations of anther and 

 stigma are ascertained. Does it appear that the flowers of 

 wheat are cross- or self-fertilized. 2 



RELATIONSHIP. 



Obtain good specimens of any of the genera named 

 above, and compare them with wheat throughout, noting 

 all points of difference and agreement. Chess is excellent 



1 Cf. Eichler, Bluthendiagramme, p. 119 et seq. Some interesting sug- 

 gestions are given by Allen, Flowers and their Pedigrees, p. 160 et seq. 



2 Cf. Seal, I.e., p. 37 et seq. 



