46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1885. 



slender and flex nose pedicels, by its shorter empty glumes, and 

 by its broader flowering glumes, which taper abruptly to a 

 rounded and usually two-lobed summit. 



10. Melica Califomica, M. pomoidee, Torrey, in Pac. R. Rep., iv, 157, non Nutt. 

 M. bulbosa, Thurber, in S. Wats. Bot. Calif., ii, p. 304, non Geyer. 



Hab. — California : Bolander, Nos. 32 and G120 ; Kellogg & Harford, No. 

 1133, 1808-9 ; San Bernardino, Parish Bro., No. 865, 1881.— Mud Springs, 

 Upper Yellowstone, T. C. Porter, 1871. 



The bulbous character of the base of the culm, although 

 usually manifest, is sometimes wholly wanting, as in Prof. Porter's 

 specimens from the Upper Yellowstone. 



Prof. Thurber's description in the Botany of California applies 

 only to the Californian plant (M. Californica); from the distri- 

 bution given, however, and the authors cited, it is evident that 

 he supposed this to be identical with Geyer's plant, which is 

 typically represented by Cusick's specimens, and also my M. 

 spectabile. I have endeavored to point out the characters that 

 distinguish these three species, which, to me, appear sufficiently 

 well marked to leave little doubt of their specific rank. 



11. Melica bulbosa, Geyer, in Hook. Jour. Bot., viii, 1856, 19 (without description); 

 Gray, Proc. Am. Acad., viii, 409. 



Culms bulbous at the base, growing singly or densely tufted, 

 usually about 2 ft. high, simple ; sheaths and upper surface of 

 the leaves scabrous or (in Howell's specimens) retrosely pubes- 

 cent ; panicle slender erect, the short 1-3 flowered branches 

 appressed ; spikelets 5-7. lin. long with 6-8 perfect florets ; 

 empty glumes obtuse, the first about 3 lin. long, the second a line 

 longer and nearly equaling the third or first flowering glume, 

 which is oblong lanceolate, obtuse or notched at the tip and gen- 

 erally larger and firmer in texture than in M. Californica. 



Hab. — Oregon : "Rocky ravine, Upper Platte, and only seen in one grassy 

 spot," Geyer, No. 11 ; Union Co., W. C. Cusick, No. 900, 1880 and 900 a,, 

 1882 ; Bolander, Kellogj? & Co., 1872 ; Henderson, 1882 ; E. Hall, No. 635, 

 1871 ; Howell, 1881. Washington Territory: T. S. Brandegee, No. 1182, 

 1883. Nevada : Wheeler, 1872 ; West Humboldt Mts., alt. 8500 ft., 

 S. Watson, No. 1304, 1867. Idaho : Bois City, Dr. J. E. Wilcox, 1883. 

 Utah: Wasatch Mts., alt. 9000 ft., M. E. Jones, 1879; Ogden, J. M. 

 Coulter, 1872. Montana: Belt Mts., alt. 6000 ft., Scribncr, No. 386, 1883 

 (spikelets crowded above, 7-8 lin. long and 5-7 flowered). 



