20 



Fig. 9. Manisuris tessellata (Steud.) Rottbocllia tessellata Steud. TALL RAT- 

 TAIL GRASS.— a, A portion of the axis of a spike; b, first glume; c, second 

 glume; el, outer glume of the pedicillate spikelet; e, third glume of the sessile 

 spikelet; /, fourth or flowering glume of same; g, palea inclosing flower; h, 

 pedicellate spikelet with pedicel. Fig. 5 in Bui. 7 and figs. 306 and 307 in Bui. 

 17 illustrate other species of this genus. 



9. MANISURIS L. Mant. 2: 164. 1771, notSw. (Rottbcellia L. f. 1779). Spike- 

 lets in pairs in the excavations at the nodes of a cylindrical, articulated axis; one 

 sessile and hermaphrodite, the other pedicellate and sterile or neuter, with 

 its pedicel grown to the axis. Glumes of the hermaphrodite spikelet 4, obtuse 

 awnless, the outer one coriaceous, usually convex on the back and covering 

 the excavation in the rachis; 2d glume less rigid than the 1st; the 3d 

 empty or with. a staminate flower, and hyaline, as are the 4th glume and palea. 

 Stamens 3. Styles distinct. Caryopsis included within the outer glumes, but 

 free. Usually slender grasses with rigid, smooth, and mostly cylindrical, sim- 

 ple spikes, which terminate the culm or its branches. 



As now constituted, this genus contains about 31 species, common to the 

 warmer regions of both hemispheres, a few extending into the warmer temper- 

 ate regions of North America. 



