174 



HARDWICKE'S SCIFN CE- GOSSIP. 



[Aug. 1, 1S69. 



local habitation or a name." Fig. 130 b represents 

 a flowering glume. 



Upright Brome {Bromus erectus) is another 

 species extremely pretty when in full flower, with 

 its rich yellow stamens, like so many golden tassels 



very common grass growing'abundantly everywhere. 

 The culm is somewhat decumbent at] the base, 

 round and smooth, with tumid purple nodes. Its 

 leaves are narrow, pointed, and striated fspikelets 

 widely separated, alternate and sessile, with their 



Fig. 130. Barren Bromc-gras3 (Bromtts sterilis). a, Spikelets; b, Flowering glume. 



hanging glittering in the rays of the setting sun : 

 but perhaps none are prettier than the upright 

 annual Brome {B. maclritensis), which is, however, 

 somewhat less common than the foregoing. 



Another common and easily recognized genus of 

 grass is the Darnel or.Rye-grass {Lolium), containing, 

 according to Bcntliam two, according to Withering 

 three, British species. 



Common Rye-grass {Lolium per enne), Fig. 129, is a 



edges or back of glumes turned towards the rachis. 

 This grass, like most plants, varies greatly accord- 

 ing to nature of soil, &c. 



Bearded Darnel {Lolium temulentuni), which 

 differs but little in general appearance from the 

 above, is supposed by some to be the tare ,oi 

 Scripture. Its seeds are said to produce intoxica- 

 tion and even fatal convulsions. 



SI. Mary's Vale, Chatham. J. Hepworth. 



