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the general law of nature in the reproduction of plants by their 
seed. The future plant is developed in the flower spike, which 
ultimately falls to the ground of its own weight, where it soon 
strikes root. Abundant all over the Lake District. 
Festuca duriuscula. “Ward Fescue. 
A very common grass, assuming much. diversity of appearance 
in size, etc., according to the soil and situation in which it may be 
found. The flowers are also apt to vary innumber. Distinguished 
from the next by its fibrous, rather than creeping roots. On the 
top of walls, sometimes hardly exceeding / ovina in stature, 
whereas in light soils, of a fertile nature, it may be found from 
fifteen to eighteen inches high. The finest I have noticed grew 
in a field by the R. Ehen, on the Scale-lands Farm, below Friz- 
ington. An excellent grass, and found in all our richest natural 
pastures. Its produce is very considerable in bulk, and is remark- 
ably fine and succulent. It further enjoys the reputation of 
withstanding drought better than the majority of grasses. 
Festuca rubra. Creeping Fescue-grass. 
Decidedly inferior to the foregoing, which it greatly resembles 
in appearance ; though far from being plentiful. Indeed, I have 
seldom noticed it far inland. It grows on the rugged scaur about 
Redness Point, where its leaves are of a deep glaucous green. 
Festuca elatior. Tall Fescue. 
By some writers considered as a coarsely-growing variety of 
Meadow Fescue. It often grows vigorously on inferior soils, 
especially where clay is more or less present. This fact, coupled 
with the very nutritive quality of the herbage, would indicate this 
as a desirable plant for cultivation in soils where finer grasses fail. 
Unfortunately, its seeds often prove sadly deficient in germinating 
powers, and hence it is neglected. Large patches of it occur by 
the Furness Railway, not far from Coulderton. 
Festuca elatior, v. arundinacea. 
A tall reed-like variety of the preceding, growing to a height of 
