The Natural Histonj of British Grasses. 535 



Here, tlien, we see in these forms of fescue, plants which 

 assume what have been taken as specific differences, not only 

 from chan<;e of circumstance a:iving rise to varieties Avhich are 

 maintained from seed, but assuming' a varied form from tlie same 

 seed, and absolutely becominj? pratensis, and afterwards elatior, 

 from a typical form of loliacea ; and so certain has this been the 

 result in our own experimental garden, that the result of twice 

 sowing the three forms of seed from different seedsmen has been 

 the negative of loliacea and pratensis and the permanent establish- 

 ment of elatior on all the plots. 



As therefore F. elatior seems to be the more perfect state of 

 the grass, this name should more properly be attached to the 

 group. 



In an agricultural point of view, the fescues afford widely 

 useful varieties, each of which is valuable under certain distinct 

 circumstances, and, indeed, under them keep their typical forms, 

 thus : — 



F. ovi/ia is essentially a g;rass of the thin soils resting on rocky 

 uplands, as on the mountain limestone, the oolites of the stony 

 Cotteswolds, and most mountain ranges. 



F., var. duriuscula — in the valleys between such hills, and in 

 the more sheltered pastures in upland districts. 



F., var. rubra — in sandy loams of the lowland meadow, and by 

 the sea-shore. 



F. loliacea — rich meadows, on river-banks, or under irrigation. 



F., var. pratensis — best lowland pastures not liable to floods. 



F., var. elatior — on sandv clajs, or other stiff or strong land, 

 especially on warped sea-shores. 



In each of these situations the peculiar form is well adapted 

 for yielding, under the circumstances, as good a crop and of as 

 good quality as any other species. There can be no objection to 

 their encouragement in the habitats indicated. The last, how- 

 ever, is exceedingly coarse, and would thus only be adajitod for 

 the grazing of such cattle as may occasionally be enabled to 

 rough it. 



Bromus — panicle lax ; f/lumes more or less tumid ; outer 

 (jlnmel with a long awn from near its middle, inner one 

 ciliated, edged with fine hairs. 



Of tiiis genus tiiere are several species which are of little mo- 

 ment to the larmer ; and inch'od those in whicii lie is interested 

 are, for the most part, rather enemies than friends. Of tliese the 

 following may serve as a synopsis : — 



a. Annual. 

 1. Bromus mollis — soft brome, " lop " of the farmer — locustoi 



