CLASS nr. ORDER II.J SPASTINA. 167 



at the back, pale and membranous on the edges. Glumelles two, equal 

 in length, shorter than the glumes, delicate, thin, white, membranous, 

 clothed and ciliated with fine silky hairs ; the outer valve broadest, 

 embracing the inner. Stamens longer than the glumes, anthers with 

 two small terminal beaks. Stig7na!i long, feathery. Fruit obovate, 

 slightly compressed, pale brown, striated and " beautifully dotted," as 

 observed by Sir W. J. Hooker. 



Habitat.— Very rare, sandy fields near the sea, Essex, near the 

 mouth of the Thames. Wales, and on the south-west coast of Angle- 

 sea, frequent — Rev. H. Davis. 



Annual; flowering in March and April. 



This diminutive grass is more interesting as a rare and beautiful 

 botanical curiosity than from any known or valuable properties that it 

 possesses ; but, though so small, like all other of the productions of 

 Nature, it aff'ords to the reflecting mind abundant matter for investi- 

 gation : 



" By every pleasing iiTiage they present, 

 Reflections such as meliorate the heart, 

 Compose the passions, and exalt the mind." 



Its habit will forcibly remind the student of the beautifully expressive 

 allusion to the frailty of grass, made by the Apostle James in the 1st 

 chapter of his Epistle, where he says, " The sun is no sooner risen with 

 a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof fall- 

 eth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth," The young, the 

 expanding mind, rising in intelligence, cannot be too soon led to the 

 investigation of the simple yet wonderful works of the Creator, which 

 are so profusely spread around, and ever display his perfection, supreme 

 intelligence, and infinite wisdom. 



GENUS LII. SPARTl'NA. Willd. Cotd-grass. 



Gen. Char. Inflorescence a one-sided spike. Spikelets one-sided, 

 single-flowered, in two rows pressed close to the rachis. Glumes 

 two, unequal, lanceolate, compressed, pointed or awned. Glumelles 

 two, nearly equal, lanceolate, compressed. Styles partly united. — 

 " Name derived from its similarity to the Lygeum Spartum, or 

 Bastard Mat-weed. Esparto (from which some authors say it is 

 derived) is a name given to Stipa tenacissima by the Spaniards, 

 who make ropes, &c. of it." Hooker. 



1. S.stric'ta, Smith, (Fig. 211.) twin-spiked Cord-grass. Spikes 



two or three, with very smooth stalks ; glumes downy^ the outer 



valve smallest. 



English Flora, vol. i. p. 1 35. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 298. — Hooker, 



British Flora, vol. i. p. ^S.-^Dac'tylis stricta, English Botany, t. 380. 



