GRAMINEAE 
399 
The infl. is rather complex; the unit of infl. is not the individual 
fir. but a spikelet , or small spike of firs. These are well seen in oats, 
where the spikelets are arranged in a panicle ; in wheat the spikelets 
are sessile upon the main axis, forming a compound spike, usually 
termed simply a spike (p. 63) ; this is more clearly seen in rye-grass. 
Each of these spikelets consists of one or more (usually not more than 
5) firs, one above the other on opp. sides of a very short axis, the whole 
enclosed in one or two or more larger leaves at the base of the axis, the 
glumes. The first diagram gives a rough inf. palea - 
representation of the construction of a - inf. palea 
spikelet. The central line represents the inf. palea - 
axis (supposed elongated), which bears - inf. palea 
at the base usually two leaves with no- inner glume - 
thing in their axils ; these are the glumes. - outer glume 
Above them stand one or more leaves, the inferior paleae , in whose axils 
occur firs, (sometimes aborted). The fir. is very reduced (or primi- 
tive, see p. 75). Upon its axis, opposite to the inferior palea, stands 
another leaf, the superior palea. Between the paleae the fir. itself is 
enclosed. The superior palea, being upon the same axis as the fir., 
is evidently its bracteole. Owing to the shortness of the floral axis, 
it appears to be in the axil of the inferior palea, or even upon the 
main axis of the spikelet. Above the superior palea are two very 
small scales, the lodicules ; they are 
opposite to the superior palea (1 in 
fig.) and insignificant in size. They 
are sometimes supposed to represent 
two of the three leaves of a reduced 
perianth, but it seems more probable 
that they really represent a second 
bracteole and that the dr. is per- 
fectly naked. The dr. itself has 
usually 3 sta. with long dlaments 
and versatile anthers, and 1 cpl. 
forming a i-loc. ovary, with 1 basal 
erect anatropous ovule, and 1 or 
more (usually 2) stigmas, which are 
much branched. This ovary has 
sometimes been regarded as formed of more than 1 cpl., but the suture 
of the posterior side of the ovary (cf. Prunus) seems to point clearly 
to its being of 1 cpl. only. The two stigmas may then be regarded 
as developments of the lateral parts of the cpl. whilst the central 
part (which usually forms the stigma) remains undeveloped ; this also 
is the explanation of the two lodicules placed right and left of the 
proper position for an upper bracteole. 
All the drs. in the spikelet are enclosed as a rule within the 
glumes until ready to open. Then the glumes separate, and the hygro- 
Floral diagram of a grass (after 
Eichler). b, inferior palea ; 
v, superior palea ; 1, lodicule ; 
st., stigma. 
