THE GRASS FAMILY. 433 



19. SiLVEBT Haik-gkass — (Atra caryophyllea.) 

 In similar situations, but rarer. Long Lane, Bowdon. Lindow 

 Common. Dunham Park. Carrington. Near Clifton Aqueduct. 

 Plentiful about Eccles and in the road to Worsley. (J. S.) Fl. May, 

 June. Annual. 



Curtis, ii. 370 ; E. B. xii. 812 ; Baxter, vi. 41C. 



20. Wild Oat — {Avenafdtua.) 



Occasionally in corn-fields, especially among barley and oats, as a 

 weed. Fl. with the corn. Annual. 



E. B. xsxi. 2221. 



Cultivated in curious gardens for the sake of the seeds, which are hygrometric, 

 and furnish great amusement as a parlour toy. 



A variety of this plant, called Avena strigosa, (E. B. xviii. 1266.) occurs in similar 

 situations, and particularly on the slopes of railway cuttings. It differs from the 

 ordinary state chiefly in its closer panicle, more divided branches, and in having 

 two short awns besides the long and conspicuous one. The cultivated oat, or 

 Avena sativa, is another variety, readily degenerating into the wild state. It is 

 distinguished by having one or more of the upper spikelets imperfect and awnless, 

 and by the absence of the interior tuft of fulvous hairs. 



21. Yellowish Oat-gkass — {Trisetum flavescens.) 

 Dry meadows, rather rare. Below Bowdon old church. Near 

 Hyde. Between Agecroft and Clifton. About Chorlton, Stretford, 

 and Whalley Range. Fl. June, July. 



Curtis, i. 150; E. B. xiv. 952 (both as Avena Jlavescens). 



22. Silver Oat-grass — {^Arrhenatherum avendceum.) 

 Everywhere among mowing-grass and upon hedgebanks. Fl. June. 



Curtis, i. 151 (as Avena elatior); E. B. xii. 813 (as Holcus avendceus) ; 

 Baxter, vi. 480. 



23. Meadow Soft-grass — {Holcus landtus.) 

 Everywhere in meadows and pastures, but rarely, if ever, in woods 

 or doughs, or where shaded by trees. Fl. all summer. 

 Curtis, ii. 228 ; E. B. xvii. 1169 ; Baxter, i. 64. 

 Remarkable for the fine red coloui- of its flowers while unexpanded, and for the 

 velvety softness of every part. 



24. Sylvan Soft-grass — {Holcus mollis.) 

 Woods and shady places, common everywhere, but never in open 

 fields or among mowing-grass. Fl. July, August. 

 Curtis, ii. 300; E. B. xvii. 1170. 



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