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against the encroachments of the tide. It has been protected, so to 
speak, by several enactments which forbade its removal or destruc- 
tion under severe penalties, from which the people of Cumberland 
were specially exempted. 
Phragmitis communis. Common Reed. 
Growing about the banks of ponds and rivers; sometimes 
exceeding seven feet in height; with stout, tall, and leafy stems. 
By the river Ellen, near Bullgill; in Hayton meadows, near 
Aspatria, etc. Its elegant flower-spikes, stuck into vases, are 
frequently used as mantel-piece ornaments by cottagers. 
Milium effusum. Spreading Millet-grass. 
One of our rarer graminez, affecting the shadow of deep um- 
brageous covers. Growing in some abundance in Flimby wood. 
Last summer I noticed it also in the Lowther Castle woods, near 
Askham Bridge. 
Aira cespitosa. Tufted Hair-grass. 
A coarse-looking and altogether a worthless grass, too familiar 
to local farmers as “bull-toppins.” Supreme necessity alone will 
induce cattle to touch it. Even the wild rabbit avoids it; and 
I am persuaded that gentlemen who unduly encourage that 
mischievous little rodent, have to be responsible for the great 
prevalence of this plant in their covers, to the exclusion of better 
grasses, which being closely cropped down, are promptly smothered 
by this aggressive grass. 
Aira flexuosa. Wavy Hair-grass. 
A rather elegant grass, commonly met with on some of our best 
mountain pastures. Growing about a foot to eighteen inches high; 
slender, upright, and very smooth. The term wavy well indicates 
the flexuous zig-zag character of the spikelets, which are very 
ornamental. Sheep appear to relish this grass, cropping it quite 
closely. I have seen fine specimens about Howth Ghyll, and 
similar places near Frizington. 
