178 



WAYSIDE WEEDS. 



differences between the tribes or genera of grasses ; 

 it must suffice to f)oint out the parts of the grass 

 blossom, or the peculiarities of the grass plant, and 

 leave those who wish, to confirm them for themselves- 

 Take any grass you chance to meet with, but a large 

 species, with what you probably call the seeds 

 large too, will be best. Observe, first, the narrow 

 straight-veined leaves, and next, the cylindrical 

 hollow stem with joints and knots at intervals, the 



^IG. 106. — A, Spihelet of Brome GlraBS ; a a, glumes, or involucre, incloBinp 

 graaa florets. B, Single floret of Brome Grass j i2, glumellse, or perianth ; 

 c, stamens ; e, awn. 



leaves sheathing the stem. The seeds or blossoms 

 are disposed in spikes, as in the case of wheat or 

 barley, which, perhaps, it is unnecessary to say are 

 real, true grasses, or more loosely in panicles, as in 

 oats. Now take one of these grass blossoms (Fig. 

 106), and if the plant really be in blossom, you will 

 observe, hanging out, the loosely-attached stamens 



