172 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY 



are parallel-veined and inclose the lower part of the 

 stem, as in heath. The .flowers are on the end of 



the stem in a 

 A\A cluster, whose 



branches are 

 branched again. 

 The flowers may 

 be contracted in- 

 to a long head, as 

 in timothy; such 

 a form is called 

 a spike. The 

 flowers are col- 

 lected into little 

 clusters called 

 spikelets. With a 

 small magnifying 

 glass the spike may 

 be easily analyzed. 

 At the base are two 

 chaff-like bracts, 

 called glumes, ris- 

 ing above which 



r n 



are four flowers. 



jr i f .1 



J-I Caen OI tnCSC 



flowers is observed 



carefully, it will be seen to consist of two chaffy bract- 

 lets, called pales, one a little above the other (Fig. 85, 

 2), then three stamens, and lastly an ovary with two 

 feathery stigmas (Fig. 85, 3). The ovary ripens into 

 a one-seeded grain. 



These parts may be seen more distinctly in the oat 

 plant. Each member of the great grass family differs 



FIG. 85. June Grass. 



I, spikelet with two glumes and four flowers; 2, a single 

 flower; 3, ovary and feathery stigmas; 4, ripe kernel in- 

 closed in the two pales. 



