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I would like also to refer to two other genera of Liliaceae with 
with which persons are often perplexed — viz., I^iistreplius and Gelto^ 
nopledum. Without the flowers or fruit one might be in doubt as to 
which plant the gathered shoot belonged. The inner perianth-segments, 
however, of the first-named are fringed, white in the flowers of the 
other they are entire. The fruits of the latter do not often open so 
readily as the Kiisirephu^. 
Tyi*hace.f. is the name of the order containing the Bullrush or 
Eeed Mace and Bur- reed, and is only referred to here to correct a 
mistake. Thus when persons are collecting bullrush-rods for decorative 
purposes, one may ofter hear the expression that all the rods seem to 
have blighted tops. This is, hoAvever, not the case, for what appears a 
blighted portion of the spike is in reality only the portion which bore 
the male flowers. 
CrpERACEin and Geamtne^. — T hese two orders of Sedges and 
Grasses are often confused by persons having but little knowledge of 
botany. This, however, might be avoided b}^ paying attention to the 
leaf-sheath. In the Sedges this portion has its margins connate — that 
is, united on the opposite side of the stem to the blade ; whereas in 
the Grasses these margins are free to the base. 
It might he interesting if the teacher, after pointing out Avhieh 
are the male and female organs of Grasses — that is, the stamens and 
styles — were also to mention that these often vary both in position 
and number in different Grasses. A few^ examples oC this might be 
mentioned, only to use species of common occurrence. The most 
frequent number of stamens in the flowers of grass wili he found to 
be 3. {^See Summer Grass, Blue Gras.s, &c.) A pretty little grass often 
seen on hillsides, witli graceful, drooping panicle, has received no local 
name in Queensland, hut to the botanist it is known as Microlmna 
stipoides. The number of stamens in the flowers will be found to be 4. 
SporohoJus diaiide)\ a tufty grass often met with on the border of 
creeks, is named, it will be seen, from its being usually found to have 
but 2 stamens in each flower; while in the flowers of the Eice Grass, 
which is most frequently met with in swampy land, Avill be found 6 
stamens in each flower, and in some of the Bamboos this number is 
exceeded. In the Maize plant the sexes are separated ; we find the 
male flowers forming a terminal panicle to the plant, while the female 
form a spike at the joints of the stem- below : but, as if to prove that 
there is no rule without an exception, many female flowers producing 
fruit are at times found in the male panicle, and male flowers at times 
also may be met with at the apex of the female spike or cob. There 
are many other modifications of these organs, hut enough is stated, it 
is hoped, to create an interest in the matter. The styles will be found 
to vary much in form, but the number is rarely more than 2, and 
frequently a single style with 2 or 3 branches. 
The plants of the third class are called Acotyledons, because they 
are without cotyledons or seed-leaves; or cryptogams, because the sexual 
organs are obscure or wanting. They have no real flowers— that is, with 
the usual stamens and pistils — or true seeds, the reproduction being 
carried on by means of minute often highly microscopic granules called 
spores. Perns and their allioe are termed the vascular cryptogams. 
They have true stems enclosing bundles of vascular tissue, and spores 
enclosed in capsule-like cases called spore-cases or sporangia. Of 
