62 GRASSES. 



[class ui. order II. 



to be consideied as one ; it is membranous, striated, and forms a short 

 pointed sheath around the base of the florets; in some specimens this 

 process is so much elongated, that there would be no hesitation in 

 calling it a valve, but in others it forms only a narrow border. Glu' 

 mel/es two unequal lanceolate valves, the external one largest, of u 

 dark purplish colour, elongated into a rough rigid awn, coiiaceous, 

 and inclosing by its inflexed edges the inner valve, which is smaller, 

 thin, membranous, and awnless. Stamens three, shorter than the glu- 

 melles. Anthers linear, yellow. Style short, simple, as well as the 

 elongated feathery stigmas. 



Habitat. — Moors, heaths, and waste, uncultivated, moist ground; 

 very common. 



Perennial ; flowering in June and July. 



This is one of the least valuable of our native grasses. Parkinson, 

 in speaking of its uses in his " Theatrum Botanicum," says it is used 

 " both with us and in the low countries, for mats, hassocks, and divers 

 other such like mean works, very serviceably." It is not now used 

 either for domestic or other purposes, and is equally wortliless as a 

 pasture grass. Linnaeus observes, that sheep are not fond of it, and 

 that goats and horses eat it ; but they never feed upon it from choice ; 

 for, of so hard and wiry a nature is this grass, that in the ordinary way, 

 observes Mr. Sinclair, in his excellent work the " Hortus Gramineus 

 Woburnensis," a scythe is passed amongst it without having the eff'ect 

 of dividing a single leaf; and from this it may be conceived how un- 

 grateful it must prove to the mouths of cattle. In dry barren places, 

 the number and strength of its roots are greatly increased, and in such 

 situations they penetrate the crevices of rocks to a great depth. On 

 account of this property, it has been celebrated by Schrank as a safe 

 support to the hands of the alpine botanist and naturalist, in precipitous 

 situations, although it renders his path slippery. 



ORDER II. 



DIGYN'IA. 2 Sttlbs. 



The whole of this order, together with the genus Anthnxanthum and 

 Nardus, are true grasses, and constitute the natural order Gramin'.ea. 



No order of plants is more natural than this — none more extensive, 

 or of so much importance to man, not only in furnishing him with the 

 principal articles of his daily sustenance, but as constituting the chief 

 support of tlie domestic animals; indeed, the varied uses to which they 

 arc applied in the natural way, as well as in domestic economy, render 



