358 NATURAL HISTORY. 



These seeds are, in most of the varieties, naked, or with- 

 out any floral envelope, but strongly bearded ; in a few 

 of the species, however, the beards are altogether want- 

 ing. Native of Asia, wheat has been cultivated since 

 time immemorial in Europe, and as a breadstuff is entitled 

 to a preference above all the other cereals. The finest 

 bread, starch, etc., is made from it, and in some places 

 is used in making malt for beer. Cultivated as a spring 

 and winter crop. Q. 



Spelt (Triticum spelta) has a fibrous root, with a 

 loose, compressed, terminal spike, on which the grains 

 are parallel, and arranged like tiles on a roof. Beards 

 or barbs very small and fall off easily. Stem about four 

 feet high, but not naked, like the above mentioned. 

 Used in Germany in the same manner as common wheat. 



Emmer (Triticum amyleum), a species of wheat un- 

 known in the United States ; used in the North of Eu- 

 rope. Spikelets double-flowering ; flowers alternately 

 barren ; chaff, in which the oblong seed remains acotid 

 on a crooked shaft ; makes good flour. O . 



Single Wheat or Peter's Corn (Triticum monococcum). 

 Spike compressed; spikelets triple-flowering; one bud 

 fruitful, two abortive ; chaff tri-dentate, external side- 

 bearded ; seed apparently triangular, remains in the 

 husk. Grows in poor ground, and makes good meal. 

 Native of Europe. 



Rye (Secale cereale). One of the most useful of the 

 grain race, rye is easily distinguished by its long, four- 

 sided pendulous ear or spike, which is compressed ; grain 

 naked, arranged as tiles, imbricate, and strongly bearded. 

 Rye produces a darker meal than the two foregoing' cere- 

 als ; nevertheless the bread made from it is very nutri- 

 tive, and when newly baked, is sweeter than that of 



