OBAMINE^. 



251 



5. CAREX IKTlmiESCESS. 

 The species of the genus Carex are exceedingly numerous and 

 difficult of study. The cue we have selected (Fig. 259J is one of 

 the commonest and at the same time 

 one of the easiest to examine. In this 

 genns the flowers are monoecious, the 

 separate kinds being either borne in 

 different parts of the same spike or 

 in different spikes. The genus is dis- 

 tinguished from all the otliers of this 

 Order by the fact of the achene being 

 enclosed in a bottle-shaped more or less 

 Fi|». 260. j-„^„;g(^ ^jjg^ which is made by the 

 union of the edges of two inner bract- 

 lets or soiles. To this peculiar sac 

 (Figs. 260 and 261) which encloses the 

 achene the name perigynium is given. 

 The culms are always triangular and 

 the leaves grass-like, usnally rough- 

 ened on the margins and on the keel. 

 In the species under examination 

 (which may be found, in almost any 

 wet meadow) the cnlm is some 18 

 Fig. 261. inches high. The staniinate spike 

 (only one) is separate from and above the fertile 

 ones, which are 2 or 3 in number, few- (5 to 8) 

 iJowered, and quite near together. The perigynia 

 are very much inflated, that is, very much larger 

 than the achene ; they are distinctly marked with 

 many nerves, and taper gradually into a long 2- 

 tootbed beak from which protrude the 3 stigmas. 

 The bracts which subtend the spikes are leaf-like, 

 and extend much beyond the top of the culm. 



OrdekCXI. GRAMIN'E.«;. (Grass Familv.) 

 Herbs somewhat resembling those of the last Order, but the 

 cull r are hollow except at the joints, and the sheaths of the 

 leav^u are split on the opposite side of the culm from the blade. 



