10 
relatively smaller than the caryopsis and are less conspicuous. The 
sterile floret consists of a lemma only. When it is present in the 
mature spikelet it is to be found between the first glume and the 
caryopsis, or grain. It is known sometimes to produce a caryopsis, 
but in no variety examined does this occur except very rarely and 
in single spikelets. The fertile floret consists normally of a lemma, 
a palea, two lodicules, an andrcecium of three stamens, and a 1-celled 
ovary, or carpel, the latter bearing two styles, each of which is sur- 
mounted by a papillose stigi la. With the maturing of the spikelet, 
the stamens and the stigmas together with their styles wither and 
drop off; and after fecundation the carpel with its inclosed ovule 
becomes the caryopsis, or grain. The lemma lies between the second 
glume and the caryopsis in the mature state, and the palea between 
the sterile lemma and the caryopsis. Both these members are 
Ivyaline and delicate, and when they remain intact in the mature 
spikelet they are usually so hidden by the much-thickened glumes 
that they are of little value for purposes of varietal differentiation. 
The awn when it is present is attached to the lemma of the fertile 
floret. The two minute lodicules lie opposite to the palea, and they 
are therefore to be found adjacent to the fertile lemma at the base 
of the spikelet. In our varieties the glumes open more or less widely, 
and in many of them the caryopsis becomes partly exserted. 
The caryopsis varies considerably in form, but it is always thicker 
laterally than dorsoventrally. Its hilum is small but is distinguish- 
able without magnification, being at the base of the caryopsis on the 
ventral side, this being the side next to the first glume. The embryo 
with its rather large scutellum is visible on the opposite, or dorsal, 
side. As in other grasses, the hilum lies adjacent to the palea and 
the scutellum adjacent to the fertile lemma. The bases of the two 
styles usually remain at the summit of the mature caryopsis. 
The sterile spikelet is more elongate than the fertile one, and its 
glumes are herbaceous. These spikelets vary somewhat as to parts 
represented, the differences being indicated in a subsequent para- 
graph. 
CHARACTERS OF THE VEGETATIVE PARTS 
Differences in some morphological features of the vegetative por- 
tion of the plant, as distinguished from the panicle, or inflores- 
cence, are genetically transmitted and would therefore constitute 
varietal characters of greater or less value. The chief of these arc 
the diameter, taper, and color of the culms; the number and form 
of the internodes; the size of the nodes; the extent of branching; 
the length, width, and direction of the leaves; the amount of over- 
lapping of the leaf sheaths; and the length and manner of opening 
of the last leaf sheath, or boot. 
CHARACTERS OF THE PANICLE 
The manner of emergence of the panicle presents several varia- 
tions, some of which are more or less striking. The period of emer- 
gence extends over only a few days, however, and for this reason 
the characteristic has little value for purposes of differentiation or 
classification. 
