572 



GRAMfNE^ 



truncate and torn at the top. — In ditches and by the margins of 

 ponds ; rather scarce, though distributed over the whole island. 

 One of the sweetest of grasses, water-fowl and cattle being fond 

 of it ; but unsuitable for cultivation from the character of its 

 habitat. (Name from the Greek katabrosis, an eating out, 

 alluding to the torn ends of the glumes.) — Fl. May, June. 

 Perennial. 



M#.MCA Nt'TTANS {Wood Melic-grass). 



34. Melica (Melic). — Panicle slender; spikelets rather large 

 and few, ovate, awnless, i — 2-flowered ; glwnes nearly equal; 

 rachilla produced and terminated by a club-shaped rudimentary 

 flower of empty glumes ; jruit loosely wrapped in the flowering 

 glume. (Name said to be from the Latin mel, honey, on account 

 of the sweetness of the stem.) 



I. M. montdna (Mountain Melic). — A slender, erect plant, i — 2 

 feet high, with delicate, flat, sparsely hairy leaves ; panicle 2 — 3 

 in. long, nearly a simple raceme, i -sided, with slender, short, 



