INTRODUCTION 7 



with this and one needle than with a pair of needles. 

 A scalpel is useful, but the small sharp blade of a 

 penknife will answer instead. It is well to have a 

 piece of black paper or cardboard on which to place 

 hairy spikelets. The hairs on the different parts 

 show up well ^gainst this background. 



It is the aim to use, so far as possible, the charac- 

 ters that may be seen in the different parts of the 

 spikelet with but little dissection. When further dis- 

 section is necessary, instructions will be given at the 

 end of the lesson requiring it, 



