14 



Fig. 4. Coix lachryma— jobi Linn., JOB'S TEARS.— a, A pair of staminate 

 spikelets; b, ovary; c, pistil, with the rudimentary stamens. 



4. COIX, Linn. Gen. PI., Ed. 1, No. 704. 1737; Ed. 6, No. 1043. 1764.— Spikelets 

 unisexual, monoecious, spicate. Staminate spikelets in twos or threes at the 

 joints of the rachis, l-'2-flowered. Empty glumes slightly unequal, rigid or 

 herbaceous, inclosing the hyaline flowering glumes and palea. Stamens, 

 3. Pistil, none. Pistillate spikelets, 1 or 2 at the base of the inflorescence, 

 inclosed or surrounded by a nearly glabrous capsule-like covering, from the 

 apex of which the staminate inflorescence projects; glumes thin-membrana- 

 ceous or subhyaline. Styles very long. Stigmas distinct, with short, papillose- 

 villous hairs. Grain glabrous or oblong, closely embraced within the hardened 

 covering inclosing the pistillate spikelets. Tall, leafy, and much branched 

 grasses, usually with many pedunculate spikes from the upper leaf-sheaths. 



Species 3 or 4; three confined to the East Indies, the fourth is widely distrib- 

 uted throughout the tropical countries of both hemispheres. 



