Five varieties of spring barley were sprayed with gibberellic acid (GA) at various growth stages from the one-leaf to the five-leaf stage. In short days a number of abnormalities of the ear were found. These abnormalities are described in the mature ear, and in the case of the branched ear, the ontogeny of the abnormality is shown. The relationship of the abnormalities to the environment, to the stage at which the plant was treated, and to the variety is analysed. The role of CA in inducing these abnormal features is discussed and their resemblance to abnormalities induceed genetically and by enviromental manipulations is pointed out.