8 



is never a solid cylinder. It is split or open on the side opposite the leaf. 

 The blade of the leaf is narrow, and its nerves or veins are parallel to 

 each other, forming raised ribs on the underside that run the whole 

 length of the leaf. In grasses the third leaf overhangs the first and the 

 fourth overhangs the second. In sedges the fourth leaf will stand over 

 the first and the fifth over the second. This is an easy way of distinguish- 

 ing a grass from a grass-like sedge. Another important thing to remem- 

 ber is that sedges always have closed sheaths. 



Rye. Barley. 



Two useful plants in the family of grasses. 



