p.20

414

of margin, called a ligule; the spikelets with one, two, or many flowers,
panicled, or spiked; the outer leaflets of the flowers are called glumes,
the inner, paleae; stamens three, rarely one to six; styles two, plumose;
fruit, a grain (called caryopsis,) free, or sometimes united with the
paleae; embryo at the base, and on the outside of the albumen.

Artificial Arrangement of the Grasses of the North-west.

This table is intended to aid in ascertaining the name of an unknown
grass. The mode of using it is quite simple, and will be easily understood
by a little attention. We first examine the flowers, and finding
only one in each little group or spikelet, we refer to No. 2, if more than
one flower, refer to No. 26. If the flowers are arranged in panicles,
look down to No. 3; then see whether there are awns, if so, refer to
No. 4. Should there be no glumes, and the grass under examination
aquatic, we know it to be a zizania, or wild rice. But this conclusion
must be confirmed by reference to the more full description in the body
of the work, or in books on botany.

Having the name, we may refer to all that has been published concerning
our specimen in the numerous works relating to agriculture and
botany.

1. Spikelets with but one flower ... 2
1. Spikelets with two or more flowers ... 26
2. Flowers arranged in panicles ... 3
2. Flowers in spikes ... 16
3. With awns ... 4
3. Without awns ... 12
4. Glumes large ... 5
4. Glumes minute, unequal, one hardly perceptible ... 11
4. Glumes none, grass aquatic ... 2-Zizania
5. Without abortive rudiments ... 6
5. With an abortive rudiment of a second flower ... 44-Holcus
6. Paleae two ... 7
6. Paleae three, upper one with an awn flowers polygamous ... 56-Sorgham
7. Palea with one awn ... 8
7. Lower palea with three twisted awns ... 15-Aristida
8. Paleae cartilaginous ... 9
8. Paleae herbacious ... 10
8. Paleae membranaceous, with one keel ... 8-Agrostis
9. Flowers sessile ... 13-Oryzopsis
9. Flowers stipate, fruit black ... 14-Stipa