174 TRIANDRIA— DIGYNIA. Lolium. 



/3 is merely a starved state of the plant, with 3 or 4 Jlorets only, 

 but still the spikelet extends beyond the calyx, y has a branched, 

 or compound, general spike. $ bears a short, broad, ovate, close 

 spike Sometimes the Jlorets are, here and ther«, viviparous. 



Well known to the farmer by the name of Uye-grass, or Ray- 

 grass. It yields an early crop of hay upon high or sandy lands; 

 and makes a fine turf, which however is said not to be lasting, 

 except on a rich soil. Much valuable information concerning its 

 cultivation and merits is collected by Professor Hooker, in his 

 continuation of the FL Londinensis. The result seems to be that 

 this grass is best suited to the light land of Norfolk, where it 

 first obtained its reputation. 



2. L. temulentum. Bearded Darnel. 



Awns longer than the corolla. Spikelets shorter than the 

 calyx. Florets elliptical. Stem rough in the upper part. 



L. temulentum. Linn. Sp. PL 122. TViUd. v. 1.462. FL Br. 150. 



EngLBot.v.l6.t.\]24. Knapp t. \0l. Hook. Scot. 45. SincL299. 



SchracL Germ. v. 1 .400. Host Gram. v. 1 .20. t. 26. Schreh. Gram. 



V. 2. 74. ^.36. Leers 4S. 1. 12. /. 2. FL Dan. t. 160. Ehrh. 



Calam. 29. BulL Fr. t.\{i7. 

 L. n. 1420. HalL Hist. v. 2. 205. 

 L. album. Ger. Em. 78. f. Raii Syn. 395. 

 Zizania. Tdlands Ic. \\2.f. 

 Gramen loliaceum, spicalongiore. Baiih. Theafr. 121./. Scheuchz. 



Agr. 31. t.l.f.7,E,F. 



In fields, among w^heat, barley, or flax. 



Annual. July. 



Root of a few downy fibres. Stems 2 feet high, leafy, round ; smooth 

 and shining below ; rough upwards. Leaves of a brighter green 

 than the preceding, rough on the upper side. Sheaths roughish. 

 Stipula short, abrupt, notched. Spike about a span in length, 

 with a rough stalk. Calyx linear, flattish, many-rib])ed, roughish 

 at the edges, rising above the spikelets, generally attended, in 

 the lower ones, with a short elliptical inner valve, pressed close 

 to the channel in the stalk. Florets about 6. Outer valve of the 

 corolla elliptical, concave, with a dorsal awn, longer than itself; 

 inner rough at the folds. Seed elliptical, a little flattened, with 

 a furrow along its upper side, where it is firmly coated by the 

 inner valve. 



The seeds are of very evil report, for causing intoxication, in men, 

 beasts, and birds, and bringing on fatal convulsions. Haller 

 speaks of them as communicating these properties to beer. 



3. L. arvense. Short-awned Annual Darnel. 



Corolla slightly awned. Spikelets as long as the calyx. 

 Florets elliptical. Stem very smooth. 



