28 Class III. Order III. 



28. PHLEUM. 



PHLEUM PRATENSE. L. Herds grass or Cat's tail grass. 

 Spike cylindrical, very long ; glumes fringed at 

 the back, longer than the awns. Sm. 



Culm upright, round, smooth. Leaves flat, pointed, rough on 

 the upper side ; sheaths long, striated; stipules blunt. Spike 

 long, cylindrical, upright. Calyx of two glumes fringed with 

 hairs on the back, square or truncated at the end, with two short 

 awns. June, July. Perennial. 



This grass is extensively cultivated, forming a chief constitu- 

 ent of what is with us called English hay. It is usually denomi- 

 nated herds grass, and sometimes improperly fox tail grass. In 

 England it is known by the name of oafs tail, and Timothy grass, 

 the last burlesque appellation derived from Mr. Timothy Hanson, 

 one of its early propagators. It is said to have fallen there into 

 disrepute, although its reputation is good in this country. Pro- 

 fessor Martyn and Mr. Curtis speak of it as a harsh, coarse grass, 

 in all respects inferior to the true foxtail grass, (Alopecurus 

 pratensis.) 



29. AGROSTIS. 



AGROSTIS VULGARIS. With. Red top. Fine Bent grass. 

 Panicle spreading with divaricated, capillary branch- 

 es ; calyx valves equal ; inner petal obtuse, half as 

 long as the other. Sm. 



A pretty common grass in dry mowing land and pastures, usual- 

 ly entering into the composition of our English hay. Stem erect, 

 smooth, slender, leafy. Leaves narrow, acute, with long sheaths. 

 Panicle erect, red, its branches very numerous and fine, ar- 

 ranged in half whorls, flexuous and variously divided. Flowers 

 numerous and very small. Calyx valves lanceolate, acute, 

 spreading, purple at base, scarious on the margin. Inner valves 

 of the corolla half as long as the outer. June, July. Perennial 



AGROSTIS ALBA. L. White Bent grass. 



Panicle loose ; culm creeping ; calyx valves equal, 

 lanceolate, polished, rough on the keel. Sm. 



