72 FLOATING GLACERIA. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



FLOATING GLYCERIA, MANXA GRASS. 



{Glyceria Fluitans) — Specific Character. 



Spikelets 7 to 13 flowered ; lower palet, oblong^,, 

 obtuse, or the scarioiis tip acutish, entire or ob- 

 scurely, 3 lobed, usually rather longer than the blunt 

 upper one. Flowers in June and ripens seeds in 

 August. Observation. Leaves long, broad, and 

 floating when in deep water. Eoot fibrous and 

 creeping,, perrennial height two to three feet. 



This grass growls naturally in and by the sides of 

 ditches, pools, rivers, and on alluvial fresh water,, 

 marshy soils. Generally this grass is eaten wdth 

 avidity by horses, cattle, sheep and swine. 



It has been said not to thrive except constantly in 

 vs^ater, but there are few grasses better adapted for irr- 

 igated meadows, and even on moderately dry ground 

 it will yield a considerable produce. Its seeds are 

 very nourishing and lorm the manna seeds or manna 

 croups of the stores which are used in soups and 

 gruels. They are rather diflicult to collect from 

 their ripening irregularly and being easily shaken 

 ofi" when ripe. The seeds of this grass weigh 15- 

 pounds per bushel. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



REED MEADOW^ GRASS. 



Glyceria Aquatica — Specific Character. 

 Panicle much branched, ample (8 to 15 inches 



