viil] classification of seedlings 133 



Seedlings. 



I. First expanded aerial leaves broad, bright green, 



with 18—24 ribs. 



Barley. 



The blade tends to twist to the left : auricles, when well de- 

 veloped, long, pointed, and claw-like, embracing the glabrous sheath 

 in front. Ligule long, membranous, pointed and irregularly toothed. 

 The plumule emerges at the upper end of the grain, and the embryo 

 has 5 — 6 secondary roots. 



II. First aerial leaves narrower, with not more than 

 11—13 ribs. 



A. Ligule long, rounded and toothed. 



Wheat. 



The blade tends to twist to the left : auricles fihform and embrace 

 the densely pubescent sheath. Leaves green. Embryo with three 

 roots. 



B. Ligule short and toothed. Leaves with a reddish 

 cast. 



(a) Blade and sheath softly hairy, the latter with scattered 

 long hairs, the former tending to twist to the left. 



Rye. 



The first leaf-sheath purple. Auricle-claws more triangular and 

 smaller than those of wheat, and the accompanying bristles are 

 fewer and shorter. Embryonic roots' four. 



(6) Blade and sheath glabrous or merely ciliate or silky, 

 the former tending to twist to the right. 



Oat. 



Auricles filiform. The plumule emerges above. The embryo 

 has three roots. 



A curious phenomenon is observed in some grasses 

 growing in high latitudes, or mountainous regions, or in 



