] 10 TKIANDRIA— DIGYMA. Hierochloe. 

 41. HIEROCHLOE. Holy-grass. 



Gmel. Sib. v. 1. 100. Br. Pr. 208. Sm.in Rees's Cycl.v. 18. Hook. 



Scot. 28. Beauv. Agr. 62. t. 1 2./. 5. 

 Holcus, sect. 2. Schrad. Germ. v. 1. 252. 



Cal. of 2 somewhat unequal, ovate, keeled, acute, awnless, 

 thin, membranous valves, containing a spikelet of 3 Jlo- 

 rets ; the terminal one perfect ; lateral ones barren. Cor. 

 of 2 unequal, permanently membranous, valves; the outer 

 largest, ovate, firmer than the calyx, ribbed, often rough, 

 sometimes awned at the back; inner much narrower, 

 filmy, awnless, cloven or notched at the summit, inflexed 

 at the margins. Nect. a membranous scale, various in 

 shape. Filam. capillary, 2 in the perfect floret; 3 in each 

 barren one. Anth. linear, prominent, pendulous. Genu. 

 ovate, small. Styles short, close together, distinct. Stig- 

 mas longer than the corolla, linear, feathery. Seed ovate, 

 pointed, small, loose, the corolla remaining unchanged. 



A very natural genus of grasses, as Mr. Brown observes, 

 " natives of the colder regions of both hemispheres." All 

 the known species are remarkable for a fragrant scent 

 when drying, resembling that of Anthoxanthum, but su- 

 perior in degree, which is esteemed in Sweden to have a 

 narcotic effect. Mr. Brown, with his usual acuteness, 

 traces a further affinity to our Vernal-grass, in the 2 sta- 

 mens of the perfect Jloret of Hierochloe, and in the rudi- 

 ments of 2 lateral neuter Jloret s in Anthoxanthum. Such 

 he considers what the writer of this, and all preceding 

 botanists, have taken for the awned valves of the corolla, 

 our nectary being the supposed corolla of his central, and 

 only perfect, Jloret, I have the greatest deference even 

 for the theoretical speculations of my ingenious and can- 

 did friend; but this, considering the structure of the parts, 

 and the analogy of other grasses, appears too paradoxical. 

 It is, however, like ail that comes from him, worthy of 

 consideration ; and may possibly be confirmed by a deeper 

 insight into the real nature of the parts of fructification in 

 this very peculiar natural order, in which, above all others 

 perhaps, an indetermination of structure is remarkable. 



The generic distinction between this genus and Holcus is 

 confirmed by the loose seed and unhardened corolla, 

 which characters did not escape the learned Schrader. 

 All the species seem to be perennial, bearing either flat 

 or involute, smooth leaves, and panicled, yellowish /low- 

 ers, with a silvery gloss. They turn brown by age or 

 drying, but retain their polish. 



