Page:An introduction to physiological and systematical botany (1st edition).djvu/280

250 4. Spatha. Sheath, a covering which bursts longitudinally, and is more or less remote from the flower. This is exemplified in the Snow-drop, Galanthus nivalis, t. 167, the various species of Narcissus, t. 17, 275 and 276, and the Arum, t. 1298. The Spatha of the latter encloses a Spadix, or elongated receptacle, common to many flowers, according to the genuine Linnæan idea of this kind of calyx, taken from Palm-trees. In these the Spadix is branched.

6. Gluma. Husk, the peculiar calyx of Grasses and Grass-like plants, of a chaffy texture. These husks are usually compressed, embracing each other at the base, as in Phleum pratense, t. 1076. Sometimes they are depressed, flattened vertically, as in Briza, t. 540 and 1316. To the husk belongs the Arista, Beard or Awn, a bristle-shaped appendage, usually spiral, and possessing the property of an hygrometer. This, however, is not always