396 THE SEA SHOBE 



pales are also keeled, with five or more nerves. The Sea Meadow 

 Grass (Poo. maritima) grows in salt marshes near the sea, its erect 

 rigid panicles reaching a height of about eight or ten inches. It 

 has a creeping root, and its leaves are curved inward at the margins. 

 The Procumbent Meadow Grass (P. procumbens) and a variety 

 of the Eeflexed Meadow Grass (P. distans) are also plentiful in salt 

 marshes. The former may be known by the short rigid branches 

 of its panicle and the five ribs of the lower pales ; and the latter 

 is much like P. maritima, but grows taller, and its spikelets are 

 crowded. The Wheat Meadow Grass (P. loliacea) grows on sandy 

 shores. Its spikelets are arranged singly and alternately along the 

 central axis, and the upper glume reaches to the base of the fourth 

 floret. This species flowers in June, but the other three of the 

 same genus bloom from July to September. 



The reader is probably acquainted with the Fescue Grass, with 

 its awned flowers arranged in one-sided panicles. There are no 

 less than seven species, one of which the Single-husked Fescue 

 (Festuca tmiglumis) grows on sandy shores, flowering in June and 

 July, and reaching a height of from nine to twelve inches. The 

 panicles are upright and unbranched, and the species maybe readily 

 known by the flowers, which are compressed, with long awns, and 

 with the lower glumes wanting. 



Knappia agrostidea is a dwarf species, rarely exceeding four 

 inches in height, that is found on certain sandy shores, but is very 

 local. Its flowers are arranged in a simple spike, the spikelets 

 being solitary and unilateral, with only a single flower, and the 

 pales are shaggy. The plant has several stems which bear short, 

 rough leaves. 



The Mat Grass or Sea Eeed (AmmopJiila arundinacea) is com- 

 mon on many sandy coasts, where it grows to a height of three or 

 four feet, and flowers in July. The white flowers are clustered in 

 dense cylindrical, pointed spikes ; and the leaves are of a glaucous 

 green colour, rigid, and curved inward at the edges. 



Dog's-tooth Grass (Cynodon dactylori). This species has a 

 creeping root, and the leaves are downy on the under side. The 

 flowers are arranged in a compound spreading spike, of three to five 

 parts, and the spikelets are of a purplish colour, ovate in form, and 

 arranged in pairs. The glumes are equal in size. It is found on 

 sandy shores, grows to a height of about six inches, and flowers in 

 July. 



A species of Canary Grass (Plialaris arundinacea) is also to be 



