XXV 



Brachypodium. Secale. 



Lolium. Elymus. 



Triticum. Hordeum. 



Agropyrum. ^gilops. 



This tribe contains most of our Cereals or Corn Grasses. 



Tribe 11. Rottboelle^. Hard Grass family. 



Inflorescence spicate ; the rachis in most instances jointed. Spike- 

 lets one- or two-flowered, lodged in hollows of the rachis; either 

 solitary or in pairs, one being stalked. One of the flowers, where 

 there are two, is generally incomplete or only rudimentary. Glumes 

 one or two, or wanting altogether; usually coriaceous. Palese 

 membranaceous, rarely awned. 



Nardus. Lepturus. 



Coarse grasses, containing little nutritive matter, and hence useless 

 in agriculture. The British species are insignificant. 



The following synopsis of the genera, however exceptional it neces- 

 sarily is in many instances, will assist in rendering the student's 

 reference to description and figures more Lmmediate and decisive, 

 and greatly abridge the labour of comparison in detail. A small 

 pocket lens, and a needle, or pointed penknife, are the only positive 

 requirements for tracing the structure of a grass flower. The latter, 

 it should be observed, is generally in the most favourable condition 

 for examination immediately before the extension of the stamens ; and 

 a very little practice, commencing with some of the larger-flowered 

 species, will remove all apparent difiiculty in manipulation. 



* Inflorescence spicate. Spikelets one-flowered. 



Spikelets unilateral. 



2. Nardus. — Without glumes. One stigma. 

 46. Knappia. — With two opposite glumes. Palese hairy, erose. 

 Two stigmas. 



