AGEOSTIS. 141 



1. S. JuNCEUS (Rush-like drop seed). Prairies, 

 Wisconsin and the South. Flowers in August. 



2. S. IIeterolepis, Gray (Strong-scented Vilfa). 

 This plant emits a strong odor. Middle and Western 

 States to Illinois ; Howers in August. 



3. S. Crypt ANDius, Gray (Large Panicled Vilfa). 

 Panicle lead-colored ; sandy shores, coast of New 

 England and of the Great Lakes ; flowers in August 

 and September. 



4. S. CoMPRESSUS (Close-flowered drop seed) ; of 

 no value for agricultural purposes. 



5. S. Serotinus, Gray (Late Drop Seed). It is a 

 delicate grass, of no agricultural value ; flowers in 

 September. 



8. AGROSTIS, Linn. Bettt Grass. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Spikelets 1 -flowered, in an open panicle ; glumes 

 somewhat equal, or the lower rather longer, usually- 

 longer than the palets, pointless ; palets very thin, 

 pointless, naked; the lower 3 to 5 -nerved, frequently 

 awned on the back ; the upper often minute, or none, 

 stamens, chiefly three ; grain (caryopsis) free ; culms 

 usually tufted, slender ; root commonly perennial. 



(N^ame from agros, a field, the place of growth.) 



1. A. Elata (Taller Thin Grass). Grows from 

 two to three feet high, in swamps, from New Jersey 

 southward. 



