84 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
because of this habit that Oats and Wheat yield such heavy 
crops in spite of the inroads of birds and the rotting of 
numbers of the “seeds.” 
Distinguishing Grasses. When in flower grasses 
can usually be readily distinguished by the character of 
their inflorescence, their spikelets, and their flowers. Dried 
specimens should always be in flower or in fruit, and it is 
best to have both. 
When not in flower, they are much more difficult to 
distinguish ; but careful attention to the hue, the form, the 
clothing, and texture of the leaves; to the form of the 
ligule, and its presence or absence; and to the habit of 
growth—will enable any careful observer to tell all the most 
common and important grasses with certainty. 
NortE.—This part of the subject should be deferred until pupils 
reach the higher standards; for only the most elementary 
examination of grasses will be within the grasp of the younger 
children. 
It is needless to say that with a little trouble grasses can 
always be obtained for investigation. They may be examined 
either in the schoolroom or in the field—in neither case should 
there be much difficulty in procuring plenty of specimens to pass 
round the class. 
In order to study grasses to any purpose, it is necessary to 
collect, press, and dry small tufts of the plants when in flower or 
in early seed. Work of this kind might be undertaken by the 
older pupils, who during its progress would not only learn much 
of the habits and general characteristics of grasses, but would 
learn to recognise many of the commoner forms. 
To prepare specimens, small tufts are laid out in a natural way 
on sheets of dry paper—newspaper does well enough—these are 
called specimen sheets. Above each specimen sheet some empty 
sheets are placed, and on the top of these another specimen sheet, 
then some more empty sheets and so on. When the pile is 
complete the whole is pressed between flat pieces of board 
weighted above by two or three bricks or other heavy objects. The 
pressure keeps the plants from shrivelling and shrinking. The 
pile should be placed in a dry place where the sun and wind can 
