182 DERIVATIONS OF THE LATIN NAMES OF PLANTS. 



until the harvest, flocks of Pigeons may be observed, with the most patient per- 

 severance picking a precarious sustenance from the immature seeds and panicles 

 of the grasses, justly remarked in the old couplet — 



" The Pigeon never knoweth woe 

 Until a benting she doth go." 



Sheep never touch the stalks of grasses in general ; and it may be here observed, 

 with White, of Selborne, that Rabbits make incomparably the finest turf, for 

 they not only bite closer than larger quadrupeds, but they allow no Bents to rise : 

 hence warrens produce much the most delicate turf for gardens. 



Agrostis vulgaris,F'me Bent-grass. — The earliness of this grass appears,according 

 to Mr. Sinclair's observations, to be its chief agricultural value, the produce being 

 far from abundant. Swayne observes that it is disliked by cattle, as are the 

 Bents in general. In the sterile Hebrides, however, it is deemed valuable. The 

 straw yields an excellent plat for the manufacture of hats and bonnets. 



Agrostis setacea, Bristle-leaved Bent-grass. — On a sunny day the panicle is 

 beautifully spreading, but it collapses very quickly in cloudy weather, or on 

 being gathered. 



Agrostis alba, Marsh Bent-grass. — The variety stolonifera is the famous Fiorin- 

 grass of Dr. Richardson and the Irish agriculturists, so much lauded on account 

 of its abundant produce. 



Aira. — From atpu, to destroy, or take away. So named because it ought to be 

 removed. Hooker observes that this name was anciently applied to Lolium 

 temulentum (Bearded Darnel), on account of its injurious effects : and now 

 removed to the present genus of grasses, though having little in common with it. 



Aira ccespitosa, Turfy Hair-grass. — It is very apt to grow in tufts, and occa- 

 sions irregularities in the surface of meadows. The leaves of this grass are the 

 roughest and coarsest of all the grasses growing in pastures or meadow grounds, 

 and therefore cattle will seldom touch them, unless forced by hunger. It produces 

 an abundant quantity of leaves, and few flowering straws; has a very disagreeable 

 appearance in meadows, and often occupies much ground which might be made to 

 produce better grasses. To get rid of it, the land should first be drained, and 

 then the tufts of the noxious weed should be pared up and burnt. The ashe3 

 will be a good manure. Called by the common people, " Hassocks," " Rough- 

 caps," " Bull-faces." 



Aira caryophyllea, Silver Hair-grass, — The whole plant is soon dried up, and 

 can yield nothing but a little early food for Sheep. 



Aira prcecox, Early Hair-grass. This trifling grass is of no agricultural 



use. It withers away as summer comes on. 



Aira canescens, Grey Hair-grass. — Withering observes that the structure of 

 the awn is remarkable ; the lower half is thicker, opake and yellow brown, the 



