174 



BOTANY. 



GLUMES. Scales of the spikelct, and exterior scales 

 of the flower. 



PALETS. Chaffy, inner scales of the flower. 



AWN. The beard or bristle of a scale. 



SQUAMULA. One of the minute scales at the base of 

 the ovary of grasses. 



The following questions, which form a schedule for 

 this group of plants, are answered as if asked concerning 

 Figs. 459 and 461 : 



Answer these questions in 

 regard to the heads of barley 

 and rye. Compare the culm* 

 and leaves of these plants with 

 those of wheat. 



Gather a plant of the oat in 

 blossoming-time, and compare 

 it with Figs. 463 and 464. Re- 

 member that the outer glumes 



belong to the spikelet, and not to the flower. Look out 

 for sterile flowers below or above the perfect ones. 



Compare the culm, leaves, and stipules of 

 the oat with those of wheat, rye, and barley. 



Palet. Sterile Fower. 



Upper 

 Glume. 



FIG. 464. 



FIG. 465- 



* Culm : a straw ; the stem of grasses and sedges. 



