300 SUB-ALPINE PLANTS 



There are 2 sub-species found in Switzerland : 



Car ex cederi Retz., with shorter stems and smaller fruits with 

 short beak ; and C. lepidocarpa Tausch., with longer inflorescence, 

 male spikelet with long stem, female spikelets distant and fruits 

 with longer beak. 



GRAMINE^. (The Grass family.) 



Herbs, with usually hollow stems, except at the nodes, and 

 narrow, parallel- veined, entire, alternate leaves, sheathing at the 

 base ; but the sheaths usually split open on the side opposite the 

 blade, and end in a small appendage called a ligule. Flowers in 

 spikelets, arranged in spikes, racemes, or panicles. Each spikelet 

 generally consists of 3 or more chaff-like scales or bracts called 

 glumes, arranged alternately, with their concave face towards the 

 axis. The 2 lowest glumes are usually empty, but the flowering 

 glumes enclose a smaller scale called a palea, which usually has 2 

 longitudinal veins or ribs. The flower is within the palea or between 

 it and the flowering glume. The true flower usually consists of 

 2 almost microscopical scales called lodicules and of 3 stamens 

 (rarely 6) and of an ovary with one cell and one ovule, crowned 

 by two more or less feathery styles. However, the flower is generally 

 considered to include the flowering glume and the palea. The fruit 

 is a i-seeded grain, consisting of the real seed and pericarp ; and 

 is either free or enclosed. The embryo or germ is small, at the 

 base of a mass of mealy albumen. 



Several other points will arise in any extended and exact study 

 of this large and somewhat difficult family — the Grasses are dis- 

 tinctly more difficult than the Sedges, and they require careful 

 dissection — but the outline indicated above is sufficient for the 

 purpose of the average botanical student. 



GraminecB is one of the largest families, its representatives being 

 spread throughout the globe. At least 4000 species are known to 

 Science. Grasses are found from the burning plains of the Equator 

 towards the North and South Pole as far as any Flowering plants 

 have been seen, and from the coast (several actually growing in 

 and matting together the sands of the sea-shore) to the snow-capped 

 summits of some of the highest mountains. In temperate regions 

 they form the chief green carpeting of the soil, while in tropical 

 climates some species of Bamboo attain the height of tall trees. 

 Lastly, but of most importance, in every country inhabited by 

 man grasses are cultivated as cereals for food. Switzerland in 

 bygone ages knew something of the value of these cereals, for 

 several varieties of Barley were found in Swiss lake dwellings in 

 deposits of the Stone Period. 



About 70 species of true Grasses are found in the High Alps of 

 Central Europe, of which number many extend above 8000 feet. 



