-•-:/; :C.;€ I : m '"-.'." m m mP - - . - | * THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID A NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH GRASSES A N T H O X A N T H U M ODOHATUM. I NATURAL HISTORY OF BY E. J. LOWE, F.R.S., ETC. THIRD EDITION WITH SEVENTY-POUR PLATES PRINTED IN COLOURS LONDON JOHN C. NJMMO 14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND MDCCOXCI MOCKER, jpsq., /^,D., F.R.S., F.L.S,, OF THE R^OYAL GARDENS, KEW J SO EMINENTLY DISTINGUISHED FOR HIS KNOWLEDGE OF BOTANY, AND SO UNIVERSALLY ESTEEMED ASSISTANCE HE IS EVER WILLING TO RENDER TO HIS FELLOW-LAB OUTERS, GRASSES OF GREAT BRITAIN IS WITH PERMISSION RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED THE AUTHOR. 0,7^7 CONTENTS AND LIST OF COLOURED PLATES. • Plate. Page. Plate. Page. Agrostis alba xvii B 59 Bromus erectus li 157 canina xvi B 55 arvensis Ivi 167 setacea xvii A 57 commutatus Iv 165 spica-venti xviii B 63 diandrus . Ivii B 171 vulgaris xviii A 61 maximus Iviii 173 Aira alpina xxi A 69 niollis Ivii A 169 caespitosa xx 67 sterilis liii 161 canescens xxiii A 75 secalinus liv 163 caryophyllea xxi B 71 Calamagrostis epigejos . XV A 49 flexuosa . xxii 73 laneeolata XV B 51 prsecox xxiii B 77 stricta xvi A 53 Alopecurus agrestis . iv 11 Catabrosa aquatica xix 65 alpinus iii B 9 Cynodon dactylon . Ixxi 217 bulbosus V A 13 Cynosurus cristatus . xliv A 139 fulvus V B 15 echinatus . xliv B 141 geniculatus vi 17 Dactylis glomerata xli B 133 pratensis iii A 7 Digitaria humifusa Ixxiii 221 Ammopliila arundinacea viii A 23 sanguinalis Ixxii 219 Anthoxanthum odoratum i 3 Festuca elatior xlvi 145 Arrb.enatb.erum avenaceum bromoides . . 1 A 153 xxviii 89 gigantea xlvii 147 Avena fatua . lix 175 ovina . 1 B 155 flavescens Ixii A 183 pratensis xlv 143 pratensis Ix A 177 sylvatica . xlix 151 pubescens . • Ix B 179 uniglumis . xlviii 149 strigosa Ixi 181 Gastridium lendigerum xi B 39 Brachypodium pinnatum Ixvi B 201 Hierochloe borealis xxix A 91 sylvaticum Ixvi A 199 Holcus lanatus xxvii 87 Briza media xlii 135 mollis xxvi 85 minor . xliii 137 Hordeum maritimum xliv A 191 Bromus asper Iii 159 murinum Ixiii B 189 viii CONTENTS AND LIST OF COLOURED PLATES (Continued^ . Hordeum pratense sylvaticum , Knappia agrostidea Koeleria cristata Lagurus ovatus . Lepturus incurvatus . Lolium multiflorum perenne . temulentum Melica nutans . uni flora . Milium efFusum Molinia caerulea , Nardus stricta Paniciun crus-galli Phalaris arundinacea canariensis Phleum alpiimm . arenarium asperum boehrneri michelii pratense . Phragmitis communis Poa aquatica alpina Plate. Page. I'late. I'u ye. Ixiii A 187 Poa annua xl B 129 Ixii B 185 bulbosa . xxxix A 123 Ixix A 211 compressa xxxvii B 119 xxix B 93 distans xxxiii 105 xi A 37 fluitans . xxxiv A 107 Ixviii B 209 loliacea xxxvii A 117 Ixvii B 205 tnaritima xxxiv B 109 Ixvii A 203 ncmoralis xl A 127 Ixviii A 207 pratensis xxxvi 115 XXV A 81 procumbens . XXXV A 111 xxv B 83 rigida XXXV B 113 xii 41 trivialis xxxviii 121 xxiv 79 Polypogon Kttoralis xiv B 47 ii 5 monspeliensis xiv A 45 xxx B 97 Sesleria caerulea xxx A 95 vii B 21 Setaria glauca 102 . vii A 19 verticillata xxxi A 90 ix A 27 viridis xxxi B 101 . x B 35 Spartina alterniflora Ixx 215 ix B 29 stricta . Ixix B 213 . x A 33 Stipa pennata xiii 43 31 Triodia decumbens xli A 131 viii B 25 Triticum caninura Ixv B 197 Ixxiv 223 junceum Ixiv B 193 xxxii 103 repens Ixv A 195 xxxix B 125 BRITISH GRASSES. GRAMINE^. IpLORETS mostly perfect, yet occasionally imperfect, or even without -L stamens or pistil. One, two, or more imbricated on a common axis or rachis situated within an involucre, called a calyx by Linnaeus, consisting of one or two (rarely none) valves or glumes, the whole constituting a spikelet. Perianth, (called corolla by Linnaeus,) glumaceous, the fertile florets generally consisting of two dissimilar glumellas or valvelets. The exterior or lower one simple, mostly keeled or having a midrib, the interior or upper one having two lateral or dorsal nerves : occasionally one or even both are wanting. Stamens hypogynous, usually three, but either one, two, three, four, five, six, seldom indefinite. Anthers bicelled, attached by their back near the middle, versatile. Ovary superior, single-celled with one ovule, having mostly two (more rarely one, or even none) diminutive hypogynous scales, called lodicules or abortive stamens. Styles usually two, which are simple or bifid, more rarely one or three. Stigmas mostly plumose. Pericarp closely incorporated with the seed. Embrio lenticular, external, situated at the base of the farinaceous albumen. The culms or stems generally fistulose, mostly simple, herbaceous, and knotted. Occasionally branched, seldom shrubby. Hollow mostly, being closed at the joints. Leaves, a single one to each node, having a sheath slit longitudinally GRAMINEJE. on one side, and frequently possessing a membranous appendage at the summit, called a ligule. The flowers, which are small, are solitary or in spikelets, which are panicled or spiked. ANTHOXANTHTTM ODORATUM. ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM. LINN^US. PARNELL. VAHL. MARTYN. STILLINGFLEET. KOCH. SMITH. SINCLAIR. SCHREBER. POITEAU AND TURPIN. HOOKER. GREVILLE. ARNOTT. LINDLEY. WILLDENOW. CURTIS. LEERS. PLATE I. The Sweet-scented Vernal Grass. Anthoxanthum — A yellow flower, (from the Greek.) Odoratum — Sweet. ANTHOXANTHUM. Linnceus. — Having two stamens and two styles. A spiked panicle. The spikelet having one central fertile floret. Two glumes. Four glumellas, the two inner ones perfect florets, and awnless; the two exterior ones neuter florets, larger, and awned. Only one British species. pleasant odour that is so very powerful in our hay-fields, whilst -L the grass is drying, owes much of its scent to the present species, a scent very similar to that of the Woodruff, (Asperula odorata.) It springs up early, and is a true permanent pasture grass, and is to be met with almost everywhere both on strong and light soils. A common species throughout Europe, and in the more northerly parts of North America. Panicle upright, form ovate oblong, with short hairy branches, length an inch and a half. Spikelets in form ovate-lanceolate, large, erect, four or five together, one awned floret. Calyx two remarkably unequal glumes, which are hairy; the larger glume is three-ribbed, the outer smaller glume destitute of lateral ribs. Floret consisting of two paleaD, oblong in shape, hairy, brownish, the paleaa equal in size, being half the length of the larger glume, and having two awns very dissimilar in length. Stamens consisting of two, which extend beyond the spikelet. Anthers oblong, and notched at the extremities. Styles brief and smooth. Ovarium oblong. Stigmas long, downy, and extending beyond 4 ANTHOXANTHUM ODOEATUM. the summit. Seed solitary, naked, and pointed at each extremity. Stem circular, striated, very smooth, having two or three hairy striated sheaths; the upper sheath extending beyond its leaf. Joints long and distant. Leaves flat, pale green, ribbed, hairy both above and beneath. Inflorescence simple, panicled. Length of the Grass from twelve to eighteen inches. Root perennial, fibrous. Flowers in the middle of April, and ripens its seeds in the middle of June. A valuable agricultural Grass. I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, and to Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham, for specimens of this species. The illustration is from Dr. Wilson's specimen. NARDUS STRICTA. II NARDUS STRICT A. NARDUS STRICTA. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. WILLDENOW. VAHL. LEERS. KOCH. PARNHAM. KNAPP. SMITH. CAVANILLES. SOWERBY. SINCLAIR. GREVILT.E. LINDLEY. HUDSON. SCHREBER. WITHERING. MARIYN. SCHRADER. PLATE II. The Mat Grass. Nardus — Odoriferous, (from the Greek.) Stricta — Upright. NARDUS. Linnaus. — Spikelets simple, on one side of the rachis only. Glumes wanting. Glumellas two ; the outer one keeled. Stigma elongated, filiform, and papillose. Stamens three in number. Confined to a solitary British species. A MOST abundant Grass on moors and sandy wastes. There is a rush-like character in its leaves, which are rigid, harsh, and forming thick tufts which continue all winter. It is of no use for agricultural purposes, cattle rejecting it if they can find other food. Common throughout Scotland, England, Ireland, Lapland, Norway, Sweden, and Germany: it is also found in the most northerly portions of North America. Spike single; spikelets single-flowered, lanceolate in form, deposited in two rows on one side of the rachis only; the opposite side of rachis naked. Without a calyx. Glumes none. Florets consisting of two paleas, the exterior one tipped with a brief rough awn; the inner palea shorter, entire, membranous, and linear-lanceolate in form. Anthers oblong. Ovarium also oblong and slender. Style only one. Stigma one, elongated, filiform, papillose. Seed solitary, linear, and pointed at each extremity. Stem erect, mostly smooth, having four or five leaves, with sheaths that are also smooth and striated, the 6 NABDUS STRICT A. uppermost sheath extending beyond its leaf, whilst the lower sheaths are considerably shorter than their leaves. Joints placed near the base of the stem. Leaves rolled inwards, edges rough, bristle-shaped, striated, harsh and rigid, and suddenly branching off at a right angle. Inflorescence spiked. Spike upright and close. Length of Grass from five to eight inches. Root perennial, having many stout downy fibres. Comes into flower at the beginning of July, and ripens seed at the beginning of August. I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for the specimen illustrated. ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS. A . O V A T U S . Ill ALOPECURUS PRATEN8I8. ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS. LINNAEUS. PARNELL. SCHREBER. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. KOCH. LEERS. GREVILLE. CURTIS. SINCLAIR. LINDLEY. SMITH. KNAPP. HUDSON. SCHRADER. WITHERING. WILLDENOW. MARTYN. GRAVES. PLATE III. — A. Gramen alopecuroides majus, MORISON. GERARDE. The Meadow Fox-tail Grass. Alopecurus — Fox-tail, (from the Greek.) Pratensis — Meadow. ALOPECURUS. Linnaeus. — Inflorescence a thick, close-set panicle, which is spiked. The spikelets are laterally compressed, Two almost equal glumes, their base mostly connate ; membranaceous, and of the same length as the floret. A solitary glumella, having a dorsal awn above the base. ONE of the most valuable agricultural Grasses; cattle are exceed- ingly fond of it, and being good in quality, and an early species. It flourishes best in meadows which have been drained, on a rich clayey soil. Exceedingly common in Great Britain, and is found also in Eussia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Lapland, Holland, France, Germany, Italy, and America. In the latter country it is however supposed to have been introduced. Panicle upright, varying from an inch to two inches long, nearly cylindrical in form, having small branches arranged all round the rachis. Spikelets ovate in form, erect, imbricated, numerous. Calyx consisting of two equal-length glumes, acute and jointed at the base, pale green lateral ribs and keels, which are fringed. Floret consisting of a solitary ovate-oblong palea, with two green ribs on either side; having a lengthened slender dorsal awn arising almost immediately above the base. Upper portion of the keel hairy. Anthers conspicuous, yellow 8 ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS. in colour. Styles joined tog-ether. Stigmas divided, slender, and downy. Seed ovate. Stem erect, circular, polished, and striated, carrying four or five leaves, with smooth inflated sheaths. Joints smooth. Leaves flat, acute, both surfaces usually rough. Inflorescence compound, branched. Panicle upright, from one to two inches long; cylindrical-oblong, compact, with short branches placed all round the rachis. Length varying from one to three feet, according to circum- stances. Root perennial and fibrous. Flowers through April, May, and June, and ripens its seed in July and August. Dr. Parnell gives the following distinctions in his " Grasses of Scot- land/' from other species in the same genus: — "1st. — From A. geniculatus in upper leaf being only half the length of its sheath; awn extending more than half its length beyond the palea; palea conical, with four distinct broad green ribs; glumes more acute, and of a different shape, whereas in A. geniculatus the upper leaf is nearly the same length as its shield; palea obtuse, with four indistinct green ribs, tinged at apex with purple. 2nd. — From A. fulvus in the awn of A. fulvus not extending beyond the palea. 3rd. — From A. agrestis in the stems and sheaths being smooth, in A. agrestis they are rough. 4th. — From A. alpinus in the panicle being longer; in A. alpinus it is not an inch long; also differs in the position of the awn." My thanks are due to Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham, and to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for the illustrated specimens. ALOPE GURUS ALPINU8. ALOPECURUS ALPINUS. SMITH. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. DON. KNAPP. PARNELL. LINDLEY. PLATE III. — B. Alopecurus ova t us, KNAPP. The Alpine Fox- tail Grass. Alopecurus — Fox-tail. Alpinus — Alpine. A RARE northern Grass, growing in marshy situations on mountains J_JL- at an elevation of three thousand eight hundred feet above the sea. Sheep will feed upon the lower leaves, rejecting the stem of this Grass. It does not appear to be found below the elevation of two thousand five hundred feet. From the circumstance that Alopecurus alpinus will not grow except on high mountains it is useless as an agricultural Grass. In Great Britain it is peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland, about Loch-na-Gar, Clova Mountains, Canlochen, Glen Prosen, Ben Lawers, and Loch Lee. Found also in Greenland, in Spitzbergen, and in the north of British America. Panicle upright, not an inch long, oblong, soft and silky. Spikelets upright, oval, placed all round the rachis, of one awned floret of the same length as the calyx. Calyx consisting of two acute hairy glumes of the same size, three-ribbed. Floret consisting of one palea, with two ribs on either side, and sometimes furnished with a slender dorsal awn. Filaments three and slender. Anthers protruding, and notched at the extremities. Styles united and short. Stigmas two, lengthy and feathery. Seeds ovate. Stem upright, smooth, circular, bent at the base. Stem carrying four leaves, whose sheaths are smooth and striated, the uppermost sheath extending beyond its leaf. Joints smooth. Leaves flat and broad, the inner surface and margin rough. 0 10 ALOPECURUS ALPINUS. Inflorescence panicled. Length from nine inches to a foot. Root perennial, creeping", having lengthened fibres. Flowers in July, and ripens seed at the end of August. The illustration was forwarded by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, having been gathered on the Clova Mountains. ALOPBCURUS AGRESTIS. IV ALOPECURUS AGRESTIS. 11 ALOPECURUS AGRESTIS. LINNAEUS. WILLDENOW. SMITH. MARTYN. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. LEERS. KNAPP. SCHRADER. SCHREBER. EHRHART. SINCLAIR. PLATE IV. Alopecurus myosuriodes, HUDSON. CURTIS. The Slender Fox-tail Grass. Alopecurus — Fox-tail. Agrestis — A field. A USELESS agricultural Grass, indeed cattle refuse to feed upon -LJL. it; when once it takes possession of a field it is difficult to eradicate, and causes much trouble to farmers when growing amongst wheat. It is perhaps better known under the name of "Black- bent." Where it flourishes it proclaims that the land is in a poor condition, for it grows most luxuriantly when the land is in that state. It appears almost confined to England, as it is rare and local in Scotland. Unknown in Ireland. It is common in the south of Europe, but does not extend north of latitude 56°. It has not been found in America. In England it is found in Devonshire, Somersetshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, Bedford, Ox- ford, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland. Fields and way-sides. Panicle upright, slender, attenuated, compact, two or three inches long, deposited in short branches all round the rachis. Spikelets oval, consisting of one awned floret of an equal length with the calyx; compressed and numerous. Calyx consisting of two acute membranous glumes of the same length, joined near the base; keels hirsute, and having two green smooth ribs on each side. Floret of one palea, 12 ALOPE GURUS AGRESTIS. ovate-oblong, and having two green ribs on each side. Awn lengthy, slender, commencing slightly above the base of the palea, and extend- ing considerably beyond it. Filaments three in number, slender. Anthers protruding, each end notched. Styles united and short. Stigmas long, downy, and two in number. Stem circular, upright, slender, rough, bearing three or four leaves, with rough, striated, swollen sheaths, upper sheath carrying at its apex a blunt downy ligule, and being longer than its leaf. Joints smooth. Leaves flat, rough, striated, and acute. Inflorescence simple, panicled. Length from one to two feet. Root small, fibrous, annual. This species is easily known by its attenuated panicles, which are often purplish in colour; and by the rough stem and sheaths, and the long dorsal awn. Dr. Parnell mentions that it can be recognised from A. pratensis in the slenderness of the panicle, in the spikelets being larger, the ligules considerably longer, the roughness of the stem and sheaths, and in the keels of the calyx being but slightly hairy; whilst in A. pratensis the ligule is short and blunt, keels of calyx and lateral ribs having long hairs, and the stem and sheaths being quite smooth. In A. geniculatus the stem and sheaths are also smooth, the awns shorter, the spikelets less, ligule shorter, calyx less acute and different in shape, and the panicle not so tapering. In A. fulvus the stem and sheaths are smooth, the panicle less tapering, spikelets less, ligule shorter. Flowers in the first week in July, and ripens its seeds in October. My thanks are due to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, and to Dr. Wilson for good specimens of this Grass. The illustration is from Dr. Wilson's specimen. ALOPECURUS BULBOSUS. A. FULVUS. ALOPECURUS BULBOSUS. 13 ALOPECURUS BULBOSUS. LINNAEUS. WILLDENOW. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. SMITH. KNAPP. BABINGTON. LINDLEY. PARNELL. KUNTH. PLATE V. A. J^he Bulbous fox-tail Grass. Alopecurus — Fox-tail. Bulbosus — Bulbous. A BARE British Grass, growing in wet salt marshes, and of no JLJL use for agricultural purposes. In England found in the counties of Somerset, Sussex, Gloucester, Suffolk, and Norfolk, most abundant near Yarmouth and Weymouth. In Wales in Cardiff Marshes. Not in Scotland or Ireland. Abroad it is a native of France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and the Mediterranean Islands. Panicle cylindrical and acuminate. Spikelets numerous, crowded together, consisting of two glumes and one floret. Glumes pointed, equal in length; keels and lateral ribs hairy, Separated to the base. Floret slightly shorter than the glumes, consisting of one palea, trun- cated, on either side with two green ribs. Stigmas long and feathery. Anthers protruding. Styles combined. Stems rising, but bent at the joints, smooth and striated, having three or four leaves with striated smooth sheaths. Joints distant from each other, four in number. Leaves somewhat narrow, smooth underneath, upper surface rough. Inflorescence from an inch to an inch and a half in length. Length from four to fifteen inches. Boot tuberous and perennial. Flowers in July, and ripens its seeds at the end of August. The present species takes its name from its bulbous root. It differs from A. agrestis in having a smooth stem and sheath, in the truncate summit of the floret, and in the awn extending half its length beyond the palea. In A. agrestis the stem and sheaths are rough, floret conical at apex, awn longer. 14 ALOPECURUS BULBOSUS. It differs from A. pratensis in having the floret shorter than the glumes, and in being truncate instead of conical at the apex, and in the glumes not being joined at the base. A. geniculatus is more blunt in the glumes. A. fulvus has a conical floret with a longer awn. The illustration is from a specimen gathered in Cheshire by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. ALOPECURUS FULVUS. 15 ALOPECURUS FULVUS. SMITH. KOCH. PARNELL. HOOKER. LINDLEY. PLATE V.- — B. Alopecurus geniculatus, var. WITHERING. The Orange Spiked Fox-tail Grass. Alopecurus — Fox-tail. Fulvus — Fulvous. present species is closely allied to Alopecurus geniculatus, but -I- the spike is more slender and not so long. It is found about ponds and ditches, and frequently floating on the water. It is to be met with in Cheshire, Essex, Worcester, Cambridge, and Norfolk. A rare Scotch Grass, having only been found in Fife- shire and Angusshire. It is not found in Ireland, or America, or Southern Europe, but Linnseus noticed it in Lapland. Of no use for agricultural purposes. A somewhat rare species. Panicle upright, compact, cylindrical, having short branches all round the rachis; one to two inches long. Spikelets small, numerous, upright, oval, consisting of one awned floret of the same length as the calyx. Calyx consisting of two equal-sized sharp membranous glumes, three- ribbed; keel fringed, lateral ribs pale green and hairy. Floret of one palea, having two ribs widely apart on each side, oval, slender, a dorsal awn, which does not extend beyond the palea. Filaments three in number, slender. Anthers roundish, yellowish, short, and notched at either extremity. Styles brief and united. Stigmas slender and feathery. Stem ascending, joints bent, base procumbent, smooth, having four or five leaves with smooth striated sheaths, uppermost sheath of same length as its leaf, inflated, and having an oblong ligule, which is mem- branous. Joints smooth. Leaves acute, flat. Inflorescence panicled. Length from twelve to eighteen inches. Root fibrous and perennial. Flowers in June. 16 ALOPECURUS FULVU8. My thanks are due to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for the specimen figured; it was gathered in Eosthern Mere, Cheshire, a locality in which it is not common. ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS. 17 ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS. LINNAEUS. KOCH. SMITH. LEERS. HOOKER. PARNELL. LINDLEY. GREVILLE. CURTIS. MARTYN. SCHRADER. SINCLAIR. EHRHART. PLATE vr. Alopecurus paniceus, OEDER. The Floating Fox-tail Grass. Alopecurus — Fox-tail. Geniculatus — Jointed. A COMMON Grass, rejected by cattle. Mostly found in moist -L\- situations near pools, often floating in the water, yet occasionally to be met with in dry places, where it is more dwarf in habit. When cultivated as an agricultural Grass, the yield is very small. It is found in Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Italy, and in a few parts of the United States. It is not to be found beyond the elevation of two thousand feet. Panicle upright, one to two inches long, cylindrical, compact, having small branches all round the rachis. Spikelets numerous, ovate, upright, one-awned floret of same length as calyx. Calyx consisting of two equal-sized membranous glumes, blunt, joined at base; lateral ribs hairy; apex purplish. Floret of one palea. Awn slender, extending half its own length beyond the palea. Anthers linear, yellowish. Styles short. Stigmas long and feathery. Stem ascending, joints bent, striated, and polished, uppermost sheath inflated, and of same length as its leaf. Sheaths smooth. Stem bearing branches from the lower joints. Joints dark purple, smooth, long, and narrow. Leaves flat, rough, edges serrated, acute. Inflorescence simple, panicled. Length twelve to fifteen inches. Eoot fibrous, perennial. Flowers at the beginning of June, and ripens seed in the last week in August. The awn in A. geniculatus commences slightly above the base, and extends half its length beyond the palea, and the anthers are long; D 18 ALOPECURUS GENICULATU8. in A. fulvus anthers short, and awn commencing below the centre, and not extending beyond the palea. A. geniculatus has a smooth stem, whilst in A. agrestis it is rough. In A. alpinus panicle short, whilst in A. geniculatus it is long. In A. pratensis upper sheath more than twice the length of its leaf, whilst in A. geniculatus only of same length as its leaf. This species is subject to variety. My thanks are due to Dr. "Wilson, of Nottingham, and to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for specimens. The illustration is from Dr. Wilson's specimen, which was gathered in Cheshire. PHALARIS CANARIENSIS. P. ARUNDINACEA. VII PHALARIS CANARIENSIS. PHALARIS CANARIENSIS. LINNAEUS. SMITH. HOOKER. LINDLEY. PARNELL. KOCH. GREVILLE. WILLDENOW. KNAPP. MARTYN. SCHRADER. LEERS. SCHREBER. SINCLAIR. SOWERBY. HUDSON. WITHERING. SIBTHORP. PLATE VII. - A. The Cultivated Canary Grass. Phalaris — Shining (from the Greek). Canariensis — Canary Island. PHALARIS. Linnaeus. — Panicle spiked or spreading, with laterally com- pressed spikelets. Two glumes nearly equal in size, upright, membranaceous. Glumellas two, awnless, hairy; outer palea without lateral ribs. Leaves broad and flat. Only two British species. Its name is derived from the Greek, in allusion to the polished appearance of its seeds. handsome Grass is not strictly a native of Great Britain, yet JL has now become naturalized in many parts of England and Scotland, probably owing to the extensive use of its seeds for feeding Canaries and other small birds. It appears to prefer rich ground, and near Beeston it is seldom found except in gardens and orchards. Native of the Canary Islands. It has also become naturalized in America. Probably it is not of any agricultural value. Panicle globular, upright, with brief branches. Spikelets oval, imbricated, flat, handsomely mai-ked with yellowish green and white stripes, having one awnless floret. Calyx of two equal-sized compressed glumes. Floret consisting of two palese, the outer one egg-shaped, acute, hairy, having two membranous lance-shaped acute scales at the base, of half the length of the palea. Palea having the outer one 20 PHALARIS CANARIENSIS. longest. Seeds polished. Stem slender, upright, smooth, having five or six leaves with rough inflated sheaths, the upper one being longer than its leaf, and having a white rounded Hgule at its apex. Joints yellowish, naked. Leaves somewhat broad, lanceolate, acute, rather rough. Inflorescence panicled. Length from twelve to twenty-four inches. Eoot fibrous, white, annual. Flowers at the beginning of July, and ripens seed in last week in August. Specimens have been forwarded by Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham, and Mr. Sidebotham, of Manchester, the latter from the road-sides in Cheshire, where it is not common. The illustration is from a specimen gathered in an orchard at Beeston, near Nottingham, where it grows sparingly. PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA. 21 PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA. LINN^US. SMITH. HOOKER. KOCH. GREVILLE. PARNELL. HUDSON. PURTON. SCHRADER. OfiDER. LEERS. EHRHART. PLATE VII. B. Arundo colorata, SOLAND. DRYANDER. SMITH. " KNAPP. WILLDENOW. HALLER. Phalaris arenaria, SMITH. SOWERBY. HUDSON. " phleoides, var. AITON. Phleum arenarium, LINN.EUS. WITHERING. The Reed Canary Grass. Phalaris — Shining (from the Greek). Arundinacea — A reed. A HANDSOME and abundant coarse-growing species on the banks -£j- of rivers and sides of lakes, preferring a strong clayey soil. Cattle are not partial to it, yet it produces a large and early crop, and may be cut three times a year. A variety cultivated in our gardens is exceedingly handsome; it is best known as the "Ribbon Grass/' or "Painted Lady Grass. " The leaves are beautifully striped with green and white, varying considerably in the width of the different bands of colour. Common in Scotland, England, Ireland, Germany, and in the South of Europe, but unknown in America, Lapland, Sweden, or Norway. Panicle upright, long, and narrow; rachis and branches rough. Spikelets crowded, numerous, of one awnless floret hid within the calyx. Spikelets occasionally tinged with purple, white, yellow, and green. Calyx two nearly equal, acute glumes; keels toothed, sides rough; calyx three-ribbed. Floret of two paleae, the outer one acute, rough; edges hairy, longer than inner palea. Stem upright, circular, smooth, having five or six leaves with sheaths that are smooth and striated; upper sheath considerably longer than its leaf, having a lengthy de- 22 PHALARIS AEUNDINACEA. current membranous ligule at its apex; the other ligules more blunt. Joints smooth and purple. Leaves broad, pale green, acute, flat, ribbed, the central rib bolder than the others, rough, edges toothed minutely. Inflorescence compound panicled. A tall Grass, growing from two to five feet in height. Roots perennial, creeping horizontally. Flowers in second week of July, and the seeds become ripe in the middle of August. My thanks are due to Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham, and to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for specimens of this species. The illustration is from Mr. Sidebotham's specimen. Ribbon 'Grass. AMMOPHILA ARUNDINACEA PHLBUM FRATENSE. VIII AMMOPHILA ARUNDINACEA. 23 AMMOPHILA ARUNDINACEA. HOST. HOOKER. PARNELL. PLATE VIII. A. Arundo arenaria, SMITH. HOOKER. GREVILLE. " " LlNN^US. WlLLDENOW. KNAPP. , " " MARTYN. DICKSON. SCHRADER. " " OEDER. EHRHART. Ammophila arenaria, LINDLEY. KOCH. Calamagrostis arenaria, ROTH. WITHERING. Spartum anglicanum, GERARDE. The Sea Reed. Ammophila — To love the sand (from the Greek). Arundinacea — A reed. AMMOPHILA. Host. — Only one British representative of this genus. Panicle spiked, with laterally compressed spikelets. Nearly equal-sized keeled membranous glumes, longer than the floret. Glumellas two, hairy at the base. Outer palea five-ribbed. Leaves narrow. It takes its name from two Greek words alluding to its habitat — sand near the sea shore. A HANDSOME very coarse Grass, of no agricultural value, as no -L\. cattle will eat it, yet valuable as growing amongst sand near the sea, and thus preventing by its matted creeping roots that inroad of the sea which would otherwise take place. It is known as the Common Sea Grass, the Marum or Matweed. The present species is protected by an Act of Parliament, on account of its great use along our coasts in Norfolk, and in Holland it is extensively grown, as also about Lytham, in Lancashire. Found on coasts of Northumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Cheshire, Denbigh, Anglesea, Merioneth, Essex, Kent, Norfolk, Somersetshire, Worcester, Devonshire, and Cornwall. Common in Scotland and in 24 AMMOPHILA ARVNDINACEA. the Orkney Islands, and is a native of Sweden, Lapland, Norway, North America, United States, and in the Mediterranean Islands. Panicle dense, upright, lengthened-oval, short rough branches; panicle three to five inches in length. Spikelets numerous, narrow, long, one floret, which is shorter than the calyx. Calyx consisting of two un- equal-sized acute glumes, devoid of lateral ribs. Floret of two palese, the outer one five-ribbed, the dorsal rib toothed; base slightly hairy. Palea equal in length. Stem upright, smooth, polished, circular, carrying three or four leaves with somewhat rough sheaths, uppermost sheath of about the same length as its leaf, having a lengthened lance- shaped membranous ligule at its apex. Joints smooth. Leaves narrow, smooth, pointed, glaucous, and rigid. Inflorescence panicled. Length from eighteen to twenty-four inches. Root creeping and perennial. Flowers at the beginning of July. The illustration is from .a specimen procured at Lytham. PHLEUM PRATEN8E. 25 PHLEUM PRATENSE. LINN^US. KOCH. LEERS. PARNELL. SMITH. HOOKER. WILLDENOW. LINDLEY. GREVILLE. KNAPP. MARTYN. SCHREBER. SCHRADER. SINCLAIR. SOWERBY. HUDSON. WITHERING. SIBTHORP. ABBOT. RELH. HULL. PLATE VIII. B. Phleum nodosum, LINN^US. WILLDENOW. LEERS. " " OEDER. SINCLAIR. Alopecurus bulbosus, DICKSON. Gramen typhoides minus, MORISON. " typhinum minus, GERARDE. The Caf s-tail Grass. Phleum — Reed Mace. Pratense — Meadow. PHLEUM. Linnceus. — Stigmas long and slender. Floret consisting of two palese, which are not awned. Panicle spiked. Spikelets laterally compressed. Glumes parallel, about equal in size, longer than the floret. There are six British species. Name derived from the Greek, formerly applied, it is conjectured, to the Reed Mace. A COMMON species, known as Timothy Grass, growing in moist J—Y. soils, common in Great Britain in meadows and pastures. It has been recommended as a good agricultural Grass, from the nutritive matter in its flower stems, yet cattle are not fond of it, and it appears to be of too slow growth for the aftermath, in order for it to become a remunerative Grass. Mr. Sinclair condemns its being grown alone in fields, but recommends it amongst other species as a valuable addition. Found in Lapland, Sweden, Norway, and North America. Panicle upright, compact, and cylindrical, green, and white; length 26 PHLEUM PBATENSE. varying from two to five inches. Spikelets diminutive, abundant, arranged in pairs all round the rachis on brief foot-stalks, having one slightly-awned floret considerably shorter than the calyx. Calyx con- sisting of two equal-sized glumes, having a broad membranous margin, keels furnished with short stout white hairs. Palea, outer one five- ribbed, egg-shaped, apex jagged, keel hairy. Floret consisting of two palese, which are membranous. Stem circular, smooth, upright, bearing four or five leaves. Sheaths smooth, the uppermost one longer than its leaf, having a membranous ligule. Joints smooth. Leaves rough, flat, broadish, acute. Inflorescence simple, panicled. Length eighteen to twenty-four inches. Eoot creeping, somewhat bulbous, perennial. Flowers in the third week in June, and ripens seed at the end of July. In A. alpinus the glumes are a third longer than their awns, in P. pratense about twice the length. In P. arenarium glumes acute and not awned, in P. pratense blunt and awned. In P. arenarium floret one third of the length of the calyx, whilst in P. pratense about half the length of the calyx. P. michelii has longer spikelets, acute glumes, and not awned. P. pratense, var. longiaristatum, Parnell, (The Long-awned Timothy Grass,) found in a damp wood near Edinburgh, differs from the normal form by the awns of the glumes being almost as long as the glumes, and the root being bulbous. It does not flower till August. P. pratense, var. longiciliatum, Parnell, (The Bulbous Timothy Grass.) Stem near base prostrate, joints bent, awns of glumes short, root bul- bous. Found in sandy situations. Flowering in the end of July. Fine specimens have been forwarded both by Dr. Wilson, of Not- tingham, and Mr. Sidebotham, of Manchester. The illustration is from Dr. Wilson's specimen. PHLEUM ALPINUM. IX P . A S P E R U M . PHLEUM ALPINUM. 27 PHLEUM ALPINUM. LINNAEUS. WILLDENOW. J. E. SMITH. DICKSON. DON. HOOKER. SCHRADER. OEDER. WITHERING. KOCH. PARNELL. PLATE IX. A. Phleum commutatum, GAUDICHAUD. The Alpine Cat* s-tail Grass. Pkleum—Reed Mace. Alpinum — Alpine. IpXCLUSIVELY a mountain Grass, flourishing in damp situations, I ^ at elevations varying from two thousand five hundred to three thousand five hundred feet. It is by no means a common species, being unknown either in England or Ireland. Mr. Dickson, the dis- coverer, first recognised Phleum alpinum near Garway Moor, whilst other explorers have found it on Craigneulict, above Killin, Ben Lawers, Clova Mountains, Breadalbane Mountains, Feula Burn, Can- lochen Glen, Glashieburn, Glen Fiadh, and Loch Brandy. Abroad it is plentiful in Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Switzerland, Germany, and North America. As an agricultural Grass it is useless. Root slightly creeping, perennial, and somewhat tuberous. Stem upright, except near the base, where it is usually decumbent, smooth, circular in form, with four or five leaves, which are provided with polished striated sheaths. Uppermost sheath slightly inflated, and being longer than its leaf; capped with a short obtuse ligule. Joints smooth. Leaves broad, sharp pointed, smooth both above and below, except along the edges, where rough. Inflorescence simple, panicled. Panicle oval, tinged green and white with dull purple, varying in length from half an inch to an inch and a half. Spikelets close together, diminutive and numerous. Calyx of two equal-length glumes, with wide mem- 28 PHLEUM ALPINUM. branous margins; the keels, which are green, are fringed with short white hairs; the glumes end in a rough awn, of rather more than half the length of the glume. Floret consisting of a pair of membranous paleaD, the exterior one being egg-shaped, five-ribbed; keel hirsute; small rough dorsal awn; inner palea somewhat shorter. Length from six to twelve inches. Comes into bloom in July, and the seed becomes ripe before Sep- tember. The present Grass bears some resemblance to Alopecurus alpinus, yet the latter species has the panicle silky, the glumes of the calyx destitute of awns, and the floret possessing only one palea. I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for the specimen illustrated, which was gathered on the Clova Mountains. PHLEUM ASPERUM. 29 PHLEUM ASPERUM. JACQUIN. KOCH. SMITH. HOOKER. BABINGTON. LINDLEY. SCHRADER. PARNELL. VILLARS. PLATE IX. B. Phleum paniculatum, HUDSON. SMITH. KNAPP. AITON. " viride, ALLIONI. Phalaris aspera, RETZIUS. WILLDENOW. HOST. " paniculata, AITON. SIBTHORP. The Rough Cat* s- tail Grass. Phleum — Reed Mace. Asperum — Rough. A RARE useless agricultural Grass, limited to the western portion -L\- of Great Britain, being confined to the counties of Gloucester, Bedford, Oxford, Cambridge, and Norfolk, chiefly in the two last- mentioned counties. Mr. Hudson procured it near Bristol, and on the heath at Newmarket; Mr. Crowe near Bournbridge. It has also been seen in Badminton Park. In Ireland it has been found near Belfast. It is a native of Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Prussia, and France. Phleum asperum grows in arid sandy situations. Root perennial, consisting of a number of strong fibres. Stem cir- cular, upright, exceedingly smooth, carrying four or five flat, rough, acute leaves, with rough tumid sheaths, the upper one extending beyond its leaf. Ligule bold and pointed. Joints four in number, covered by the sheaths. Inflorescence close, panicled, and from two to five inches in length. Spikelets abundant, compact, composed of two equal length, rough, cuneate glumes, and one floret. The glumes variegated with green and white, the inner edge obtuse at the apex, straight and mem- branous. The floret consisting of two paleae, the exterior one rough, indistinctly five-ribbed, the centre rib being hirsute on the upper 30 PHLEUM ASP E RUM. portion. Floret a third shorter in length than the glumes. Filaments capillary, three in number. Anthers cloven at either extremity. Styles bold, two in number. Stigmas feathery. Seed diminutive, loose, cylindrical in form. Length from six to eighteen inches. Flowers in July, the seed becoming ripe at the commencement of September. The present species is readily distinguishable from the remainder of this family by its cuneate glumes, and rough but not hairy keels. The specimen illustrated was gathered near Belfast, and contributed by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. PHLEUM MICHELII. 31 PHLEUM MICHELII. ALLIONI. KOCH. SMITH. HOOKER. LINDLEY. PARNELL. SCHRADER. Phalaris alpina, HCENKE. HOST. The Michelian Cat* s- tail Grass. Phleum — Reed Mace. Michelii — After Micheli. present species is a south of Europe Grass, which has been -L added to our British flora, from the circumstance that Mr. Don discovered it amongst the rocks on the higher parts of the Clova Mountains, in Scotland. It grows from one to two feet high. Phleum, michelii differs from P. arenarium in having perennial roots, in the whole of the keels of the glumes being hirsute, and in the floret being entire at the apex instead of being notched. It is also readily distinguished from P. pratense, in having the glumes of the calyx acute-lanceolate, instead of being obtuse; and from P. boehmeri by the tapering glumes. No other botanist has been fortunate enough to discover it. It must be considered a doubtful British species. PHLEUM BOEHMBR1 P. ARENARIUM. PHLEUM BOEHMERI. 33 PHLEUM BOEHMERL SCHRADER. KOCH. SMITH. KUNTH. HOOKER. LlNDLEY. WITHERING. BABINGTON. PARNELL. PLATE X. A. Phalaris phhoides, LINN^US. WILLDENOW. SMITH. " " OEDER. HOST. EHRHART. " " SINCLAIR. Chilochoa boehmeri, BEAUVOIS. The Purple-stalked Cat' s-tail Grass. Phleum — Reed Mace. Boehmeri — After Boehmer. A RARE British Grass, of no agricultural use; almost confined to ./~\ chalky or dry sandy fields in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, in the latter county near Narburgh. It has not been discovered either in Scotland or Ireland. On the continent it is included in the flora of Russia, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. Root fibrous and perennial. Stem upright, smooth, simple, slender, striated; upper portion purple and shining, having four or five leaves, with smooth rather tumid striated sheaths, the uppermost one much longer than its leaf, and having a broad obtuse ligule, which entirely encloses the stem, mostly four-jointed, the joints being all below the centre. Leaves rough on both sides and along the edges, flat, linear- lanceolate in form, except those near the base, which are narrower. Inflorescence compact, dense, panicled, cylindrical. Spikelets diminutive, very numerous, situated all round the panicle, consisting of two equal- sized glumes and one floret; glumes linear, the edges being white and membranous; apex oblique; floret awnless, and only three fourths of the length of the glumes, consisting of two equal-sized paleae, the exterior one being five-ribbed and roughish, the inner one membranous. 34 PHLEUM BOEHMERL Ovarium hirsute, scales bold, styles two, stigmas feathery, stamens three. Length from six to eighteen inches. Flowers in July, and the seeds become ripe about the middle of August. The present species differs from Phleum asperum in not having the glumes cuneate, in not having a long and pointed ligule, and in having the keels fringed. It differs from P. arenarium in having the floret entire instead of jagged at the apex, in the floret being much longer in comparison to the glumes, and in the inner edges of the glumes not being fringed with diminutive hairs as in P. arenarium. From P. michelii in having more linear-shaped glumes, and in having only the upper portions of the keels hirsute, instead of throughout their whole length, as in P. miclielii; whilst from P. pratense it differs in the glumes being pointed and destitute of awns, and the inner edges ending obliquely instead of abruptly. Also in the exterior palea having the apex entire instead of jagged, as in P. pratense. The specimen illustrated was procured in Norfolk by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. PHLEUM ARENARIUM. 35 PHLEUM ARENARIUM. LINN.EUS. SMITH. HOOKER. LINDLEY. KOCH. GREVILLE. PARNELL SCHRADER. OEDER. EHRHART. PLATE X. — B. Phalaris arenaria, KNAPP. HUDSON. WILLDENOW. The Sea Cat's- tail Grass. Phleum — Reed Mace. Arenarium — Sea-shore. M^HE Pkleum arenarium is almost exclusively a sea-side Grass, -L growing in loose sand. It is to be met with on the coasts of Devonshire, Somersetshire, Sussex, Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cheshire, Durham, and Northumberland. Also in Denbigh and Fifeshire ; indeed it is by no means uncommon in Scotland, although local in Ireland. On the continent it is met with in various places in southern Europe. Inland it is recorded as growing on Swaffham and Newmarket Heaths. The leaves being harsh it is not an agricultural Grass. Root annual, consisting of numerous long simple fibres. Stem cir- cular, smooth, and mostly having a purple tinge on the upper portion; joints naked. The stem bears four or five leaves, whose sheaths are slightly tumid, smooth, and striated, the uppermost sheath being above double the length of its leaf. Leaves rough both above and below, brief and broad. Inflorescence simple panicled, the panicle being obovate-cylindrical in form, and upright in habit. Spikelets oval in shape, and numerous, consisting of one floret of one third the length of the calyx, and awnless. Calyx composed of a couple of equal-sized membranous glumes, which are lanceolate in form. Upper portion of the keel and inner edges fringed. Floret consisting of two equal-sized membranous paleaD, notched at the apex, the outer palese five-ribbed, keel hirsute. The length of this Grass varies considerably, according to the support it is enabled to procure from the sandy ground. 36 PHLEUM ARENARIUM. Sometimes it does not exceed three inches, at others it is five times this length. Phleum arenarium has much smaller spikelets than P. michelli, it is notched at the summit instead of being entire, and the glumes not hirsute on the lower half of their keels. It differs from P. pratense in being smaller, the base of the panicle contracted, and having no awned floret. Conies into flower in the middle of July, the seeds becoming ripe in about a month. The specimen illustrated was gathered at Fleetwood, by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. Phlenm arenarium. From a dwarf specimen. LACURUS OVATUS. CASTRIDIUM LENDIGERUM. XI LAGURUS OVATUS. 37 LAGURUS OVATUS. LINN.EUS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. KOCH. KUNTH. SMITH. BABINGTON. LINDLEY. KNAPP. WITHERING. PARNELL. WlLLDENOW. DlCKSON. ScHRADER. HOOKER. ScHREBER. HULL. PLATE XI. A. Alopecuros genuina, MORISON. spied rotundiore, MORISON. The Hare's- tail Grass. Lagurus — Hare's-tail (from the Greek). Ovatus — Egg-shaped. LAGURUS. Linnaus. — Panicle spiked. Spikelets laterally compressed. Glumes fringed throughout, terminating in a lengthy subulate point. Glu- mellas two in number, membranaceous in texture, the exterior one terminating in two long bristles. Only one British example, and this confined to a portion of Guernsey. The name is derived from the Greek, and signifies a hare's tail, from the downy feel and appearance of the panicle. ONE of the rarest and most beautiful of our British Grasses, growing in sandy exposed situations in the north and west of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. It was first discovered there by Mr. Gosselin. Miss Guille informs me that it is abundant near the sea- shore. Sir J. B. Smith, in his "British Flora," remarks that Lagurus ovatus serves to decorate flower-pots in winter, like the Stipa pennata, and the foreign Briza maxima; there are, however, a number of other species which, when placed in a vase in a bunch, produce a pleasing effect. Root annual, composed of seven or eight woolly fibres. Stem upright, circular, smooth, with three or four joints. Leaves four or five in number, with tumid, very downy sheaths. Ligule bold, obtuse, and encircling the stem. Leaves flat, lanceolate in shape, short, pointed, 38 LAGURUS OVATUS. densely covered both above and below with downy hairs. Inflorescence compound panicled. Form ovate, except near the base, where it is more flat. An inch in length. Branches short and crowded; at first upright, but afterwards driven to one side by the power of the wind over them. Spikelets dense, consisting of two equal-sized long glumes, fringed with long, white, downy hairs, and one floret, which is shorter than the glumes, and composed of two equal sized palese, the exterior one being rough and five-ribbed; ending in two bristles, and having a lengthy dorsal awn. Styles two. Filaments three. Stigmas feathery. Anthers cloven at either extremity. Length from three to nine inches. Flowers in June, and the seed becomes ripe at the end of July. I am indebted to Miss Guille for the specimen illustrated. G A S TRID1 UM LENDIGEE UM. 39 GASTRIDIUM LENDIGERUM. BEAUVOIS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. PARNELL. GAUDICHAUD. LINDLEY. LINK. BARINGTON. PLATE XI. B. Gastridium auslrale, M ilium lendigerum, U (( Agrostis ventricosa, australis, rubra, Alopecurus ventricosus, BEAUVOIS. KUNTH. LINNAEUS. SMITH. WILLDENOW. SCHREBER. HULL. KNAPP. GOUAN. LlNN^US. HUDSON. HUDSON. The Nit Grass. Gastridium — A swelling. Lendigerum — Maggot-bearing. GASTRIDIUM. Beauvois. — A solitary Grass of this genus belongs to Great Britain, the Gastridium lendigerum; having a spiked contracted panicle, with two ventricose, acute, awn less glumes, which are membranaceous, keeled upwards, and considerably longer than the floret. Glumellas two, also membranaceous. Named from the Greek, in allusion to a little swelling which occurs at the base of the spikelet. A SOMEWHAT rare species, having a glossy swollen appearance J~\- at the base of the glumes. Found in open fields where water has stagnated, and more especially near the sea. Found in Norfolk, Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Devonshire, Dorset- shire, Hampshire, Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, Denbigh, and Flint. Isle of Wight, abundant. Isle of Sheppy. Abroad it is a native of France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Northern Africa, and the Mediterranean Islands. 40 GASTRIDIUH LENDIGERUM. It has not been found either in Scotland or Ireland. Of no use as an agricultural Grass. Root annual and fibrous, having slender branching fibres. Stem upright, circular, polished; carrying four or five flat, acute, rough leaves, with usually smooth sheaths, the upper one being longer than its leaf. Joints mostly three in number, Ligule conspicuous, pointed, and broad. Inflorescence compound panicled, compact; pale green in colour; branches rough. Rachis circular and smooth. Spikelets upright, numerous, composed of two unequal-sized acute glumes, that are tumid at the base; deeply dentate at the upper portion, and with green keels, and one floret, two thirds less in length than the glumes, and consisting of two palese, the exterior one being five-ribbed, with the summit jagged ; inner paleae somewhat shorter, with smooth lateral ribs. Awn rough, yet slender, twice the length of the palese. Styles brief, distant, and two in number. Stigmas feathery. Filaments three, slender. Anthers notched at either extremity. Scales acute. Gastridium lendigerum does not flower till August, nor ripen its seeds before the end of September. The specimen illustrated was gathered on St. Vincent Rocks, Bristol, by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. MILIUM Et'FUSUM. XII MILIUM EFFUSUM. 41 MILIUM EFFUSUM. LINNAEUS. SMITH. PARNELL. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. LINDLEY. GREVILLE. KOCH. HUDSON. WITHERING. HULL. RELHAN. SIBTHORP. ABBOT. CURTIS. KNAPP. LEERS. SCHRADER. SINCLAIR. PLATE XII. Gramen mtliaceum, RAY. GERARDE. " " vulgare, MORISON. The Spreading Millet Grass. Milium — Millet. Effusum — Spreading. MILIUM. LinncBus. — Confined to one British species, with spreading panicle, having in some degree dorsally compressed awnless spikelets, with two almost equal-sized glumes, and the same number of glumellas. Millet Grass, says Sir W. Hooker, either receives its name from mille — a thousand, on account of its fertility, or from mil — a stone, because of the hardness of its seeds. AN elegant Grass, growing commonly in damp woods and in moist shady situations. Of no agricultural value, but the seeds are a favourite food of small birds. Common in many portions of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Abroad it is found in Norway, Sweden, Lapland, North America, the United States, and in the Mediterranean Islands. Root fibrous, perennial, and branching. Stem upright, smooth, slender, shining; and having four or five broad, flat, pale green, shining, smooth, lanceolate-shaped leaves, with sheaths that are smooth and striated, the upper sheath having an oblong membranous ligule. Joints smooth. Inflorescence compound panicled, or spreading, the panicle being glabrous, subverticillate, loose, and of large size, with lengthy slender branches arranged in alternate distant clusters along G 42 MILIUM EFFUSUM. the rachis. Spikelets abundant, small, ovate in form, on delicate footstalks, and consisting of one awnless floret, hid within the calyx. The calyx composed of two equal sized, rough, three-ribbed, broad, membranous glumes. The floret composed of two equal-sized mem- branous paleae. Styles short. Stigmas feathery. Length from three to four feet. Flowers about the middle of June, and ripens its seeds about the middle of August. Colour pale whitish green. For specimens from Reddish Woods, Cheshire, I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester; and for others from Falmouth, to Mr. H. C. Bastian, of Falmouth. The specimen illustrated was gathered in Reddish Woods, Cheshire, by Mr. J. Sidebotham, of Manchester. STIPA PINNATA. XIII STIPA PENNATA. 43 STIPA PENNATA. LINN^US. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. SMITH. PARNELL. HUDSON. WITHERING. HULL. WILLDENOW. KNAPP. SINCLAIR. SCHRADER. KOCH. LTNDLEY. BABINGTON. PLATE XIII. Spartum austriacum, GERARDE. Gramen sparteum pennalum, BAUHIN. DILLENIUS. The Common Feather- Grass. Stipa — Tow or flax (from the Greek). Pennata. Penna — A feather. STIPA. Linnceus. — Panicle upright and ^contracted. Glumes membrana- ceous, two in number, longer than the floret. Floret stipulate. Glumellas cartilaginous; exterior glumella involute, ending in a twisted awn of great length, which is jointed at the base. There is only a solitary representative of this genus in Great Britain, and that one very rare. The name is derived from the Greek, signifying a flaxen appearance, in reference to the present species — Stipa pennata. AN exceedingly rare Grass, of but little agricultural value. It was first discovered on rocks in Long Sleadale, Westmoreland, by Dr. Richardson and Mr. Lawson, in the time of Dillenius, and from that time there seems to be no re-discovery of it. Lately, however, Mr. Joseph Sidebotham has forwarded me specimens gathered in corn- fields near Hebden-Bridge, Yorkshire, where he informs me it is found growing wild, although rare. From the extreme beauty of this species it is extensively cultivated in our gardens, and its flowers gathered to ornament our drawing-rooms during winter. Stipa pennata grows in dry sandy situations. It is found in many parts of Germany. 44 STIPA PENNATA. Stem upright, circular, smooth, carrying four or five long, splendid, hirsute, rigid, and setaceous leaves, with rather rough sheaths, the uppermost one being longer than its leaf. Joints three or four in number, hid by the sheaths. Ligule of uppermost sheath hirsute, long and pointed. Inflorescence racemed, rising out of the highest sheath. Spikelets consisting of two nearly equal-sized, long, slender, hirsute glumes ; and one floret of only half the length of the glumes, consisting of two paleas, the exterior one sharp-pointed at the base, hirsute, five- ribbed, and ending in a considerable feather-like awn. The awn commences at the apex of the exterior palea, and usually twenty times its length; with the exception of that portion immediately about the base, it is feathery to the apex. Styles prominent, two. Stigmas feathery. Filaments capillary, three in number. Anthers notched at either extremity. Scales acute. Length about two feet. Root perennial and fibrous. This species does not flower till August, and its seeds become ripe about the middle of September. When gathered to decorate a room, this should be done at the commencement of September, before the seeds are ripe. The illustration is from a specimen gathered near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, by the late S. Gibson, and forwarded by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS. XIV P. LITTORALIS, POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS. 45 POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS. DESFONTAINES. KOCH. SMITH. HOOKER. LINDLEY. PARNELL. SCHRADER. MARSCHALL. PLATE XIV. A. Agrostis panicea, AITON. WILLDENOW. Alopecurus monspeliensis, LINN^US. WITHERING. " aristatus, HUDSON. Agrostis triaristata, KNAPP. Alopecurus maxima angh'ca, RAY. " paniceus, LINNAEUS. WITHERING. Cynosurus paniceus, LINN.EUS. Phleum crinitum, SCHREBER. J. E. SMITH. The Annual Beard-Grass. Polypogon — Many — A beard (from the Greek). Mbnspeh'ensi's— Belonging to Montpelier. POLYPOGON. Desfontaines. — The Beard-Grass, of which two species occur in Great Britain, has compact panicles, whose spikelets are laterally com- pressed. Glumes two, equal-sized, notched, and awned. Name derived from the Greek, meaning many beards. A BEAUTIFUL rare Grass, growing in moist situations near the sea. Found in Hampshire, Kent, Essex, Norfolk, Gloucester, Durham, Fifeshire, and the Island of Guernsey. Also found along the Medi- terranean Sea. Stem upright, circular, rather rough, carrying five or six broad flat acute rough leaves, with striated smooth sheaths, the upper one ex- tending beyond its leaf. Ligule long, rough, and acute. Joints smooth. Inflorescence compound panicled. Panicle upright, close, lobed, silky; length from one to two inches. Branches rough, but rachis almost smooth. Spikelet of one awned floret, shorter than the calyx. The 46 POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS. calyx of two membranous hairy obtuse linear glumes, having a rough slender awn of great length arising just beneath the apex. Dentate on the lower half of the keels. Destitute of lateral ribs. Floret consisting of two palese, the exterior one ovate in shape, destitute of lateral ribs, half the length of the calyx, and furnished with a small awn, the interior one thin and pellucid, somewhat shorter and with entire margins. Length from nine to fifteen inches. Root creeping and fibrous. Flowers in the first week in July, and ripens its seed the second week of August. The illustration is from a specimen gathered in Plumstead Marsh, Kent, and forwarded by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. POLYPOGON LITTORALIS. 47 POLYPOGON LITTORALIS. SMITH. HOOKER. LINDLEY. BABINGTON. PARNELL. KUNTH. KOCH. PLATE XIV. B. Agrostts littoralis, J. E. SMITH. WITHERING. " KNAPP. DICKSON. The Perennial Beard- Grass. Polypogon — Many — A beard (from the Greek). Littoralis — Sea-shore. A VERY rare species, growing iu salt marshes. JL\. Found in Norfolk, near Cley; in Essex, on the coast; Hampshire, near Porchester; and Kent, near the Woolwich powder- magazine; and in Germany. Stem upright, circular, smooth, carrying seven or eight flat, roughish, acute leaves, with striated yet smooth sheaths, the uppermost one considerably longer than its leaf, and its ligule bold, acute, and about twice as long as it is broad. Joints smooth. Inflorescence compound panicled, the rachis and branches being rough with minute teeth. Spikelets numerous, laterally compressed, small, and composed of two equal-sized, linear, obtuse, hirsute glumes, and one floret of a little above half the length of the glumes. Glumes destitute of lateral ribs, dentate on the keel, and having a long rough awn of the same length as the glumes, arising just beneath the apex. Floret consist- ing of two paleaB, the exterior one destitute of lateral ribs, having a slender awn commencing slightly beneath the apex. Inner palea shorter, thin, pellucid, and having entire margins. Stamens two; styles two; scales two. Stigmas feathery. Length from six to twelve inches. Root perennial, and somewhat creeping. In Polypogon monspeliensis the awns of the glumes are above twice the length of the glumes. 48 POLTPOGON LITTORALIS. The illustration is from a specimen found near the powder-magazine, Kent, forwarded by Mr. J. Sidebotham, of Manchester. CALAMAGROSTIS BFIGEJOS. XV C. LANCEOLATA, CALAMAGROSTIS EPIGEJOS. 49 CALAMAGROSTIS EPIGEJOS. ROTH. LINDLEY. KOCH. HOOKER. PARNELL. PLATE XV. — A. Arundo epigejos, SMITH. LINN^US. WILLDENOW. " " KNAPP. SCHRADER. EHRHART. ' " calamagrostis, HOOKER. LIGHTFOOT. HUDSON. Calamagrostis lanceolata, WITHERING, (not of ROTH.) The Wood Reed. Calamagrostis — Palm Grass. Epigejos — Upon — The earth (from the Greek).* CALAMAGROSTIS. Adanson. — Of Calamagrostis there are three British species, all growing in moist situations. In C. epigejos and C. stricla the panicle is upright and close; in C. lanceolata it is loose. Spikelets laterally compressed, Two almost equal-sized glumes. Two membranaceous glumellas. Name derived from the Greek, signifying the Palm Grass, a very inappropriate name. Calamagrostis epigejos is by no means a common Grass, growing -I- in damp woods and shady ditches. It is to be met with in Dalrymple Wood, Ayr; and in Argyle and * This should be spelt and pronounced Epigeios with the g hard. The term is intended to characterize the species as one that grows on the land, as distinguished from the sea or from watery places. Linnseus gives as its habitat "Dry hills, banks, and corners of fields." Withering, Hudson, Babington, and other botanists speak of "moist shady places, wet hedges," etc. Two localities in which it was found near Nottingham, by Dr. Howitt and Dr. Wilson, are dry. Doubtless it does grow in moist places, but differs from the other Reed Grasses in not being limited to such places as they are. Hence the propriety of the specific term "Epigeios." H 50 CALAMAGROSTIS EPIGEJOS. Aberdeenshire, Scotland; and near St. Ann's Wells, Nottingham, although rare. The last locality is from the authority of Mr. J. Side- botham. Also in Somerset, Dorset, Sussex, Kent Surrey, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Bedford, Oxford, Leicester, War- wick, Worcester, Shropshire, Lincoln, York, Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland, and Anglesea. Abroad in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Lapland. Stem circular, upright, and somewhat rough, carrying four narrow, acute, taper-pointed leaves, with inner surface and edges rough, but smooth on the back. Sheaths smooth, striated, the uppermost one extending beyond its leaf, and having at its apex a lengthy, lanceolate - shaped, divided ligule. Joints smooth. Inflorescence brown, compound panicled. Panicle upright, compact, four inches in length. Branches and rachis rough, the branches in alternate clusters. Calyx composed of two narrow, acute, equal-sized glumes, destitute of lateral ribs; containing one awned floret, not so long as the glumes. Floret con- sisting of two paleaa, the exterior one ovate-lanceolate, destitute of lateral ribs, and ending in two bifid points; at the base a number of long straight hairs, colourless, and equal in length to the calyx. Awn long and slender, commencing at the centre of the palea, and rising to the summit of the hairs. Inner palea acute, membranous, linear, and considerably shorter. Length from three to five feet. Root perennial and creeping. , Flowers at the end of July, and seed ripens at the end of August. Cattle will seldom eat this Grass. • Distinguished from C. slricta in the hairs and awn of 0. stricta scarcely extending beyond the floret. The illustration is from a specimen gathered near St. Ann's Wells, Nottingham. CALAMAGROSTIS LANCEOLATA. 51 CALAMAGROSTIS LANCEOLATA. ROTH. KOCH. KUNTH. PARNELL. BABINGTON. HOOKER. LINDLEY. PLATE XV. B. Calamagrostis epigejos, WITHERING. Arundo calamagrostist SMITH. KNAPP. SCHRADER. " " LINNJEUS. OEDER. EHRHART. epigejos, HUDSON. The Purple- Flowered Small Reed. Calamagrostis — Palm Grass. Lanceolata — Lanceolate. A BEAUTIFUL species, growing in fenny countries in moist shady - CATABROSA AQUATICA. BEAUVOIS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. PARNELL. LINDLEY. PLATE XIX. Aira aquatica, LINNAEUS. J. E. SMITH. HOOKER. " " WITHERING. HULL. SIBTHORP. " " RELHAN. HOOKER. ABBOT. " " CURTIS. KNAPP. EHRHART. " " WlLLDENOW. SCHRADER. HOST. " " OEDER. GREVILLE. Poa dulcis, SALISBURY. The Water Whorl-Grass. Catabrosa — A Gnawing. Aquatica — Water. CATABROSA. Beauvois. — Catabrosa or Whorl-Grass, has a spreading panicle with awnless florets. The name is derived from the Greek, and signifies a gnawing, on account of the extremity of the glumes being erose. Catabrosa aquatica is the only British species. A BOLD handsome species, growing in ditches, banks of rivers, and other wet situations, rendering it a useless agricultural Grass, although cattle are very fond of it. A common Grass in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Abroad it is a native of France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Lapland, and in the north of South America. Root perennial, extremely long, branched, creeping, or frequently floating on the water, and having lengthy shining white fibres. Stem strong, circular, and smooth, the basal portion procumbent and floating in the water, the upper portion rising from twelve to eighteen inches above the water, bearing three or four broadly-linear leaves, having striated, smooth, lax sheaths, the upper one shorter than its leaf, and 66 CATABROSA AQUATICA. having a blunt membranous ligule at its apex. Joints smooth. Inflor- escence compound panicled, the panicle being upright, with spreading unequal branches. Spikelets small, numerous, and weeping, consisting of two awnless florets, considerably longer than the glumes. The calyx consisting of two rough, unequal blunt, membranous glumes, destitute of lateral ribs. The upper glume largest. Florets of two equal-sized palege. Length from twelve to twenty-four inches. Flowers the second week of July, and ripens seed the second week of August. A dwarf variety has been found growing near the sea in damp situations, especially along the west coast of Scotland. This variety is known by the English name of " Small Water Hair Grass," and is the Catabrosa aquatica, variety littoralis, of Parnell. I am indebted to Mr. J. Sidebotham for specimens. The specimen illustrated was gathered in a ditch, near the railway station, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. AIRA C^SPITOSA. XX AIRA QM3PIT08A. 67 AIRA C^SPITOSA. LINN^US. PARNELL. SMITH. HOOKER. ARNOTT. GREVILLE. KNAPP. WlLLDENOW. SCHRADER. LEERS. HOST. EHRHART. OEDER. HUDSON. WITHERING. HULL. SIBTHORP. ABBOT. RELHAN. PLATE XX. Desckampsia ccesprtosa, LINDLEY. Gramen segetale, GERARDE. The Tufted Hair-Grass. Aim — To destroy. Cczspitosa — Tufted. AIRA. Linnaeus. — The Hair-Grass is named from the Greek, and signifies to destroy, but why it received this unwelcome name is apparently uncertain. There are six British species. Having a spreading panicle, of which the spikelets are laterally compressed. There are two florets present in each spikelet, with a third imperfect rudiment between them; the outer palea of each floret is rounded at the back and furnished with an awn. A VERY handsome Grass, the flowers of which are well adapted ~/TA_ for decoration, being very graceful. It is a common species in England, Scotland and Ireland, of no agricultural merit, being coarse and rough, and with but little nutritive properties. It will flourish in almost any situation, but prefers damp fields, where it grows into large tufts, and is known to agriculturalists as hassacks, a Grass difficult to destroy. It is a native of Norway, Sweden, Lapland, France, Italy, Germany, North America, and the United States. Nowhere does it flourish so luxuriantly as on the banks of a brook. The plant forms a large coarse tuft, and, as it is not eaten by cattle except when nothing else can be procured, a field in which it abounds has a singularly unsightly, and to farmers unwelcome appearance. -68 AIR A C^ SPIT OS A. The root is perennial and fibrous. Stem upright, circular, and rough, and supporting four or five narrow, rough, coarsely-ribbed, acute leaves with rough striated sheaths, the uppermost one extending con- siderably beyond its leaf, and having a lengthy, membranous, acute ligule at its apex. Joints smooth and very strong. Inflorescence compound pauicled, and exceedingly handsome. Panicle when first expanded drooping, afterwards becoming upright, with the branches spreading in all directions. Branches and rachis rough. The spikelets are small and numerous, consisting of two or three horned florets. The calyx consisting of two equal-sized acute glumes, the upper one three-ribbed and the lower one destitute of lateral ribs. Of the two paleae the exterior one of the lowest floret not equal in length to the glumes, membranous, base hirsute, destitute of lateral ribs, jagged on the summit; a slender awn starts from a little above the base as far as the apex of the palea. The inner palea rather shorter, linear, margin entire, and also membranous. Length from two to five feet. Air a, alpina, differs, on account of the awn commencing in that species slightly above the centre of the outer palea; whilst on the other hand Aira flexuosa has the awn of the lower floret protruding above one third its length beyond the glumes. There is a viviparous variety of Aira ccespitosa, known under the name of variety vivipara, which has been found on the Clova Mountains. It is an interesting ornamental variety, worthy of extensive cultivation, as a border flower in gardens. Dr. Parnell describes two varieties, namely, "longiaristata" and " brevifolia." The variety longiaristata differs in having the awn of the outer palea extending one quarter of its length beyond the apex of the palea, and in having the spikelets of a rich chocolate colour. Found on the mountains in Perthshire between three and four thousand feet above the sea level. The variety brevifolia is distinguished by the very short radical leaves. It is found growing near the summit of several of our highest Scotch mountains. This species usually flowers in the beginning of July, and ripens its «eed early in September. Door-mats and basses are made of the hay of Aira ccespitosa, and for this the Grass is much in repute by rural cottagers. The illustration is from a plant growing on the edge of the lake at Highfield House. AIR A. ALPINA. XXI A. CARYOPHYLLEA. AIRA ALPINA. 69 AIRA ALPINA. LINNAEUS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. PARNELL. BABINGTON. LINDLEY. WILLDENOW. WAHLENBERG. PLATE XXI. A. Aria Icevigata, J. E. SMITH. The Smooth Alpine Hair-Grass. Aira — To destroy. Alpine — Mountain. AN uncommon and useless Grass, not seen at a less elevation than three thousand feet. Found on Ben Lomond, Ben Arthur, and moist rocks in Angusshire, and said to be found in Wales. Native of Lapland, Scotland, and North America. Distinguished from Aira flexuosa by the awn rising from above the centre of the palea, and not extending beyond the apex of the palea. Stem upright, circular, and polished, carrying three or four narrow, acute, mostly involute, strongly-ribbed leaves, rough on inner surface and margins, smooth on back, with smooth striated sheaths. Joints smooth. Inflorescence compound panicled. Panicle upright, silky, brown. Apex drooping. Branches arranged on the smooth rachis in pairs at certain distances. Spikelets numerous, with exceedingly deli- cate footstalks, usually two, though occasionally three, awned florets, the lower one not protruding beyond the calyx. Calyx of two nearly equal membranous smooth glumes. Upper glume three-ribbed, others destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two palese, exterior one of lowest floret shorter than the glumes; oval in shape; base hirsute; apex jagged. Keel somewhat rough, having a brief rough awn rising from a little above the centre, and extending to the apex of the palea. Inner one rather shorter and membranous. Root perennial and fibrous. Length from twelve to eighteen inches. 70 AIRA ALPINA. Flowers at the commencement of August, and becomes ripe in the middle of September. Dr. Parnell figures a viviparous variety called vivipara. AIRA CARYOPHYLLEA. 71 AIRA CARYOPHYLLEA. LINNAEUS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. J. E. SMITH. PARNELL. BABINGTON. REICHENBACH. GREVILLE. LINDLEY. WILLDENOW. KNAPP. CURTIS. STILLINGFLEET. GREAVES. OEDER. PLATE XXI. B. Avena caryophyllea, KOCH. The Silver Hair- Grass. Aira — To destroy. Caryophyllea — ? A NOTHER useless agricultural grass, growing in dry gravelly -LA. situations, and tolerably abundant in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is a very handsome species. Found in Germany, France, and Italy. Stem upright, circular, smooth, and striated, bearing three or four short, narrow, rough leaves, with striated rough sheaths, upper leaf much longer than its sheath, and having a prominent acute ligule at the apex. Joints smooth. Inflorescence compound panicied, silvery grey. Panicle upright, triple-forked, spreading, tinged with purple. Rachis smooth. Spikelets small, with rounded bases and slightly swollen, consisting of two awned florets, not protruding beyond the apex of the glumes. Calyx of two equal-sized membranous glumes, destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two equal-sized paleao, exterior one of lowest floret bifid, base hairy, furnished with a slender awn rising from slightly beneath the centre, and extending half its length beyond the apex of the palea. Inner one thin and membranous. Root annual and fibrous. Length from six to twelve inches. Flowers in the third week of June, and ripens its seed at the end of July. 72 AIRA CARYOPEYLLEA. This Grass is common in Sherwood Forest, where the specimen from which the illustration is taken was gathered. AIR A FLEXUOSA. AIR A FLEXUOSA. AIRA FLEXUOSA. LINNAEUS. SMITH. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. PARNELL. BABINGTON. REICHENBACH. KOCH. GREVILLE. WILLDENOW. KNAPP. SCHRADER. LEERS. HOST. SCHREBER. OEDER. EHRHART. PLATE XXII. Aira montana, HUDSON. DICKSON. " " LEERS, (not LINNAEUS.) " scabro-setacea, KNAPP. " se/acea, HUDSON. The Wavy Mountain Hair-Grass. Aira — To destroy. Flexuosa — Bending. A COMMON Grass in England, Scotland, and Ireland, on heaths and upon hills, often growing amongst the heather. It is eaten by sheep. Abroad it is found in North America, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, and Germany. The spikelets are twice as large as in Aira caryophyllea. Stem upright, smooth, striated, rather flat, bearing three or four exceedingly narrow, long, smooth leaves, and numerous radical ones, with roughish striated sheaths, the uppermost one considerably longer than its leaf, and crowned with an acute membranous ligule. Joints smooth. Inflorescence compound panicled; colour pale brownish green. Panicle upright, with delicate, rough, triple-forked, spreading branches. Spikelets upright, of two awned florets, which do not protrude beyond the calyx; colour brownish glossy copper. Calyx consisting of two almost equal-sized membranous glumes, with somewhat rough keels, but destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two equal-sized palese, the exterior one of lowest floret having a bifid apex; base hirsute, with two delicate ribs on either side. Keel roughish, and having a slender L 74 AIR A FLEXUOSA. awn rising from slightly above the base, and extending far beyond the apex of the palea. Inner palea very thin, membranous; margins minutely fringed. Root perennial and fibrous. Length from twelve to eighteen inches. Colour dark green. Flowers at the commencement of July, and ripens its seed in the middle of August. Dr. Parnell describes a variety known as A. flexuosa, var. montana. Frequently met with on the Highland Moors. It is more slender, and the ligules are more acute. The illustration is from a specimen forwarded by Mr. Joseph Side- botham, of Manchester. AIRA CANESCENS. XXIII A. P R & C O X. AIRA CANESCENS. 7S> AIRA CANESCENS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. J. E. SMITH. PARNELL. SCHRADER. KNAPP. WILLDENOW. DICKSON. WITHERING. EHRHART. OEDER. PLATE XXIII. A. Corynephorus canescens, BEAUVOIS. BABINGTON. " " REICHENBACH. KOCH. KUNTH. Gramen junceum, DALECHAMPS. The Grey Hair-Grass. Aira — To destroy. Canescens — To become grey. ONE of the rarest of the British Grasses, and consequently a useless agricultural species. Found on the sandy coasts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, and Jersey.. Native of the Islands of the Mediterranean, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. Easily distinguished from all other British species in having club- shaped awns, which are fringed in the centre. Stem upright, circular, and smooth, bearing four or five setaceous, very short, rough, and glaucous leaves, with rough striated sheaths, the uppermost leaf shorter than its sheath. Ligule of upper leaf acute and bold. Joints three, the uppermost one naked. Inflorescence compound panicled, close and compact until in flower, then spreading; having a purple tinge. Branches rough, but rachis smooth. Spikelets consisting of two acute, membranous, equal-sized glumes, destitute of lateral ribs; keels minutely dentate, and two florets shorter than the glumes. The florets composed of two equal-sized paleae, the exterior one acute, base hairy, and without lateral ribs, and having a lengthy dorsal awn. Inner palea ^membranaceous and narrow; apex notched. Awn rising from a little above the base of the exterior paleas, and 76 AIRA CANESCEN8. extending half its own length beyond; club-shaped above, and having a circular fringe in the centre. Styles short, two. Stigmas long and feathery. Filaments slender, three in number. Anthers dark purple in colour, and short. Root annual or biannual, and fibrous. Length from six to fourteen inches. Flowers in July, and ripens its seed in August. AIRA PRjECOX. 77 AIRA PR^COX. LINNAEUS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. J. E. SMITH. PARNELL. BABINGTON. LINDLEY. GREVILLE. WILLDENOW. CURTIS. KNAPP. GRAVES. SCHRADER. OEDER. EHRHART. PLATE XXIII. B. The Early Hair- Grass. Aira — To destroy. Prcecox — Early. rT^HIS is a very early Grass, and of but little value; it grows on -L sandy hills and wall tops. Tolerably abundant in England and Ireland, less common in Scot- land. Found in France, Italy, Germany, and North America. This species is known from Aira caryophyllea by the close panicle, which does not exceed half an inch in width. Stem circular, smooth, upright, and carrying four or five narrow roughish leaves, with rough, striated, somewhat inflated sheaths. Uppermost sheath longer than its leaf, and having at its apex a lanceolate membranous ligule. Joints smooth. Inflorescence simple panicled; greenish silvery colour. Panicle upright and close; branches rough; rachis smooth. Spikelets of two awned florets, enclosed within the calyx. Calyx composed of two equal and acute glumes, minutely toothed on the keels, but destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two equal-sized paleae; exterior one of lowest floret bifid, base hairy, obscurely five-ribbed, and having a lengthy, rough, slender awn rising from slightly above the base, and extending half its length above the apex of the palea. Inner one with margin minutely fringed, and membranous. Root annual and fibrous. Length from four to six inches. Flowers at the end of May, and is ripe in a month. 78 AIEA PRJECOX. The illustration is from a specimen gathered in Dunham Park, by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. MOLINIA 0 jfi RU L E A. XXIV MOLINIA C2EBULEA. 79 MOLINIA C^RULEA. MCENCH. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. PARNELL. LINDLEY. KOCH. STURM. BEAUVOIS. BABINGTON. REICHENBACH. PLATE XXIV. Melica alpina, DON. Molinia depauperata, LINDLEY. PARNELL. Melica cczrulea, LINNAEUS. SMITH. HOOKER. HOST. " " GREVILLE. WILLDENOW. SCHRADER. " " CURTIS. KNAPP. Aira ccerulea, LINN^US. HUDSON. LEERS. OEDER. 7 he Purple Molinia. Molinia — After Molina, a Naturalist. Caerulea — Blue. MOLINIA. Mcench. — A genus named after Don Giovanni Ignatio Molina, who published a work upon the Natural History of Chili seventy-five years ago. There is only one British example, namely, Molinia ccerulea. reed-looking Grass, perhaps better known as the Purple Melic Grass, is abundant throughout Scotland, England, and Ireland, growing on damp heathy moors. It is of but little agricultural value. In the Orkney and Shetland Islands the stems are made by the fisher- men into ropes, whilst in England they are manufactured into cheap brooms. It occurs in Lapland, Norway, and Sweden, and to the most southern portions of Europe. Stem upright, circular, smooth, being bulbous at the base, carrying three lengthy, narrow, linear, taper-pointed, acute, rough leaves, with smooth striated sheaths, the uppermost one shorter than its leaf, bearing at its apex a diminutive ligule. Joints smooth, and close to the base. Inflorescence compound panicled. Panicle upright, lengthy, narrow, 80 MOLINIA C^ERULEA. and compact; branches slender, rough, and situated on the rachis in bunches at certain intervals. Spikelets numerous, small, chiefly com- posed of two, yet sometimes of three, awnless florets, purplish in colour, and considerably longer than the glumes. Calyx smooth, of two unequal, acute glumes. Florets of two equal-sized palese, exterior one of basal floret smooth, three-ribbed, and acute ; inner one having two bold marginal ribs of a green colour. Root consisting of a multitude of strong fibres, perennial. Length from one to two feet and a half. Flowers towards the end of July, and ripens its seed at the close of August. There is a variety known as Molinia depauperata, which Lindley and Parnell gives as a distinct species, and known as the Tawny Melic Grass. It differs in being usually less in size, and having the leaves of the stem extending beyond the panicle, in the calyx having only one floret, the outer palea being five-ribbed. It was discovered on the Clova Mountains, (three thousand feet above the sea,) by Mr. Donald Munro. There is another variety more dwarf and compact, known as M. ccerulea, var. breviramosa, distinguished by its dwarf habit and dark purple inflorescence — a common Grass on moors. The specimen for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Joseph Side- botham, of Manchester. ' ME LIC A NUT AN 8. M. U N I F L O R A. XXV MELICA NUTANS. 81 MELICA NUTANS. LINNAEUS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. SMITH. PARNELL. GREVILLE. LlNDLEY. KOCH. WlLLDENOW. CURTIS. MARTYN. KNAPP. RELHAN. GRAVES. SCHRADER. BABINGTON. HOST. SCHREBER. LEERS. REICHENBACH. WITHERING. HULL. DICKSON. PLATE XXV. A. Melica montana, HUDSON. Poa nutans, HALLER. The Mountain Melic Grass. Melica — Honey. Nutans — Nodding. MELICA, Linnceus. — An interesting family, of which there are but two British examples. The name is derived from mel — honey. A GRASS as yet of no agricultural value, growing in damp shady -Ljk_ woods at an altitude of about five hundred feet above the sea, and not found higher than two thousand feet. It is an early Grass, doing well under cultivation, and therefore may prove of use to the farmer. In Scotland it occurs in Aberdeenshire, Forfarshire, Fifeshire, and near Edinburgh. In England, in all the northern counties and Not- tinghamshire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire. In Wales, in Denbigh. Abroad, it is a native of France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Lapland. This lovely Grass is very ornamental when growing luxuriantly, and no one can fail being struck with its beauty after seeing it growing, as it does, in a damp wood near Ambleside. The wood seemed as if meant for Fairyland, each raceme of bloom bearing a number of bells, all hanging in one direction. Stem upright, slender, roughish, bearing four or five long, narrow, M 82 MELIOA NUTANS. acute, flaccid, pale green leaves, with rough striated sheaths, the upper one shorter than its leaf, and having at the apex a brief obtuse ligule. Inflorescence racemed. Raceme long, mostly of ten spikelets, placed on short rough footstalks. Spikelets large, ovate, pendulous, and consisting of two perfect and one imperfect floret. Calyx of two broad, reddish brown, smooth, five-ribbed glumes. Florets of two palese. Length from twelve to twenty-four inches. Some specimens gathered near Ambleside were above three feet in length. Root perennial and creeping. Flowers at the end of May, and becomes ripe in July. This Grass is known from Melica uniflora in the inflorescence being racemed instead of simple panicled, and in the calyx containing two perfect florets. The most unaccustomed eye can at once recognise the difference between these two species. My thanks are due to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham for specimens gathered near Halifax, and from which the illustration is taken. MELIGA UNIFLORA. 83 MELICA UNIFLORA. LINN.EUS. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. SMITH. PARNELL. GREVILLE. WITHERING. LINDLEY. KOCH. HULL. RELHAN. ABBOT. SIBTHORP. CURTIS. DICKSON. MARTYN. REICHENBACH. BABINGTON. RETZIUS. WILLDENOW. KNAPP. GRAVES. SCHRADER. OEDER. PLATE XXV. B. Melica nutans, HUDSON. RUDBECK. " Lobelii, VILLARS. The Wood Melic Grass. Melica — Honey. Uniflora — One-flowered. A GRASS of but little agricultural value, flourishing in clayey soil -£jL in damp rocky woods. A frequent Grass in England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, and Germany. This beautiful species is very ornamental, and when dried is well adapted for winter decoration. Stem upright, circular, and slender, bearing four or five long, flat, thin, acute, flaccid, rough leaves, with rough striated sheaths, whose upper portions are furnished sparingly with slender yet conspicuous white hairs. Upper sheath shorter than its leaf, and having at its apex a short membranous ligule. Inflorescence simple-panicled. Panicle slightly pendulous, with few spikelets on long, slender, rough footstalks, the branches long and slender, rising usually in pairs from the rachis. Spikelets upright, oval in shape, consisting of a perfect and an imper- fect awnless floret hid within the calyx. Calyx of two reddish brown five-ribbed, smooth glumes. Florets of two palese. Length from twelve to eighteen inches. Eoot perennial and creeping. Flowers in the middle of June, and becomes ripe at the end of July. 84 MELIGA UNIFLORA. It is distinguished from Melica nutans in the simple panicle, and in the calyx containing only one perfect floret. This species flourishes luxuriantly about Ambleside, and also in a wood near Critch, in Derbyshire; where it grows well it is very beautiful. The illustration is from a Derbyshire specimen. HOL.CUS MOLLIS. XXVI ffOLCUS MOLLIS. 86 HOLCUS MOLLIS. LINN^US. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. SMITH. PARNELL. LINDLEY. KOCH. WlLLDENOW. CURTIS. KNAPP. SINCLAIR. SCHRADER. LEERS. HOST. SCHREBER. BABINGTON. HUDSON. ABBOT. WITHERING. RELHAN. HULL. SIBTHORP. DICKSON. PLATE XXVI. The Creeping Soft Grass. Holcus — To extract. Mollis — Soft. HOLCUS. LinncBus. — Of the genus Holcus, or "Soft Grass," England can boast of only -two species, both exceedingly interesting plants. The name is derived from the Greek, and signifies to extract; the genus taking this singular name because it was supposed to have the property of drawing out thorns from the flesh. A GRASS of no agricultural value, as cattle refuse to eat it, whilst -I-\- its long creeping roots speedily impoverish the soil. Its favourite habitat is sandy, light, barren soil. Common in Britain, Sweden, Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy. Stem upright, circular, and smooth, bearing four or five flat, broad, acute, soft, roughish, pale green leaves, with usually smooth sheaths, upper sheath considerably longer than its leaf. Joints four, hairy. Inflorescence compound-panicled. Panicle upright, and slightly pendu- lous at the apex. Spikelets consisting of two florets, the upper one awned. Calyx consisting of two equal-length glumes, membranous, and keels hairy. Upper glume three-ribbed; lower one destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two palea9. From near the apex of the upper floret arises a long awn, which is rough from the base to the apex. Length from one to three feet. Root perennial and creeping. Dr. Parnell describes two varieties, one biaristatus, which has larger 86 HOLCU8 MOLLIS. and fewer spikelets; the other parviflorus, does not exceed twelve inches in length, and having very small spikelets. The specimen for illustration was sent by Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham. HOLCUS LAN AT QS. XXVII HOLCU8 LANATUS. 87 HOLCUS LANATUS. LINNAEUS. SMITH. PARNELL. HOOKER AND ARNOTT. LINDLEY. KOCH. HUDSON. WITHERING. HULL. RELHAN. ABBOT. SIBTHORP. CURTIS. DICKSON. REICHENBACH. BABINGTON. WILLDENOW. KNAPP. SINCLAIR. LEERS. HOST. SCHREBER. PLATE XXVII. The Meadow Soft Grass. Hokus — To extract. Lanatus — Woolly. A PRODUCTIVE Grass, easily cultivated, yet cattle do not like it. -L^\- It seems to delight to grow in shady situations, especially in light moist soils. Common throughout Great Britain and Scotland, France, Italy, and Germany. This very beautiful Grass has an upright circular stem, bearing four or five pale green, flat, broad, acute, soft, hairy leaves, with soft downy sheaths, the upper sheath extending considerably beyond its leaf; inflated and having at its apex an obtuse membranous sheath. Joints four, hairy. Inflorescence compound-panicled, green, red, or pink in colour. Panicle upright, triangular in shape, compact and close when young, and spreading when more mature. Branches hairy. Spikelets pendulous. Two florets, the upper one awned. Calyx consisting of two hairy membranous glumes, the upper one oblong, tipped with a minute bristle. Keel hairy, having a green rib on either side; lower glumes crescent-shaped, and destitute of lateral ribs. Two equal-sized paleae. Upper floret smallest, and elevated on a lengthy naked foot- stalk, having a dorsal awn of about half the length of the palea, commencing a little beneath the apex, and when mature curved in the form of a fish-hook. The apex of the awn is rough, but the lower two thirds is quite smooth. Length from twelve to twenty-four inches. Root perennial and fibrous. 88 HOLCUS LANATU8. This species is distinguished from Holcus mollis in having two thirds of the awn smooth. Flowers at the beginning of July, and ripens its seeds in four weeks. The specimen for illustration was forwarded by Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham. ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM. XXVIII ABBHENATHEBUM AVENACEUM. 89- ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM. BEAUVOIS. HOOKER AND GREVILLE. LINDLEY. BABINGTON. PLATE XXVIII. Arrhenatherum elatior, KOCH. " bulbosum, LINDLEY. DUNAL. Avena elatior, LINN.EUS. HUDSON. CURTIS. " " MARTYN. CULLUM. SCHREBER, " " LEERS. WITHERING. RELHAN. " " HULL, ABBOT. " nodosa, CULLUM. " precatoria, THUILL. Holcus avenaceus, SMITH. HOOKER. GREVILLE. " " SCOPOLI. WlGGERS. SlBTHORP. " " KNAPP. SINCLAIR. SCHRADER. " " REICHENBACH. Gramen bulbosum nodosum, LOBEL. " caninum nodosum, GERARDE. The Oat- like Grass. Arrhenatherum — Male-awn. Avenaceum — Of oats. ARRHENATHERUM. Beauvois. — There is only a solitary example of this genus in this country, namely, the Arrhenatherum avenaceum It has the habit of the Oat Grass, yet differing in the number and structure of its florets. The name is derived from two Greek words, signifying male and awn. A PRODUCTIVE agricultural Grass, especially on clayey soil, yet --LJL. a species but little grown in this country. It will thrive well under trees, and is sometimes a troublesome weed in corn fields. A common Grass in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany* Italy, and the United States. 90 ABRHEXATHERVM AVEXACEUM. Stew upright, circular, and polished, bearing four or five flat, rough, narrow, acute leaves, with striated smoothish sheaths, the upper one longer than its leaf, and having at its apex a small ragged ligule. Joints smooth, and sometimes hirsute. Inflorescence simple panicled. Panicle inclining to one side, branches short and rough, the lower ones mostly in fives. Calyx consisting of a pair of very unequal acute membranous glumes. The florets consisting of two palea?. The lower floret has a long awn rising from slightly above the base of the outer palea, the second floret has a very short awn commencing beneath the apex. Length from two to three feet and a half. Root perennial, fibrous, and sometimes bulbous. There is a variety known as bulbosum, which grows in rich cultivated fields, having bulbous roots. Flowers in the third week in June, and becomes ripe in about five weeks. The present species, which is readily known from all other Grasses, is a common plant in Nottinghamshire, growing occasionally to the height of three feet and a half, especially in low meadows on the banks of hedges. There is only another species known of this family, namely, the A. pollens, a Portuguese plant. The specimen for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. HIEROCHLOE BOREALIS. XXIX KOELERIA CRIST AT A. HIEROCHLOE BOREALIS. 91 HIEROCHLOK BOREALIS. ROEMER AND SCHULTES. PARNELL. HOOKER AND GREVILLE. J. E. SMITH. LINDLEY. BABINGTON. REICHENBACH. PLATE XXIX. A. Holcus borealis, ' ' odora/us, tt