stout above, and the part within the bract enclosing the
female spikelet is slender.

The _male spikelets_ are imbricating, 2 or 3 at a node of the rachis,
one sessile and one or two pedicelled, dorsally compressed, articulate
at the base and persistent, very variable in size, 3/8 to 3/4 inch.
There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is
oblong-lanceolate, chartaceous, 3/5 inch long, acute, many-nerved,
concave with inflexed margins bearing narrow green many-veined wings.
The _second glume_ is similar to the first, but thinner and without the
wings, 5- to 9- or rarely 11-nerved. The _third glume_ is
oblong-lanceolate, hyaline, faintly 3- to 5-nerved, paleate and with
three stamens. The _fourth glume_ is similar to the third, paleate with
or without stamens.

[Illustration: Fig. 126.--Coix Lachryma-Jobi.]

1. Inflorescence; 2. the female spikelet; 3. male spikelets; 4, 5, 6 and
8. the first, second, third and the fourth glume, respectively, of a
male spikelet; 7 and 9. palea of the third and the fourth glumes,
respectively.]

The _female spikelet_ is enclosed by a closed bract which finally
becomes hardened, and there are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The
_first_ and the _second glumes_ are chartaceous. The _third_ and the
_fourth_ are hyaline, the former being empty and the latter with an
ovary. _Lodicules_ are not present. The _ovary_ is ovoid with very long
capillary styles. The grain is orbicular, compressed, channelled at the
back and enclosed within the stony, hardened and polished bract.

This grass usually grows in paddy fields. There are two distinct
varieties--one a fairly tall one annual and the other a very tall (5 to
10 feet) perennial one. The racemes of the latter are longer and
drooping, the male spikelets are in threes and the wings of the first
glume are usually broader than in the other form. This species is easily
recognized by the polished bract enclosing the female spikelet.

_Distribution._--Throughout India.

17. Polytoca, _Br._

These are tall monoecious annual or perennial grasses. Inflorescences
consist of spiciform racemes with spathaceous bracts; rachis is jointed.
Racemes may all be male or with one or two female spikelets at the base.
Male spikelets are geminate, one sessile and one pedicelled, 2-flowered
or imperfect, and with four glumes, which are subequal. The first glume
is membranous, many-nerved, shallowly concave and with a narrow
membranous margin. T