28 IIOUTL'S GHAMINEUS WOBU RN ENSIS. 



cipal characters of distinction, or, what may be termed the generic 

 characters of the seeds of grasses, will best appear, perhaps, by 

 practically applying themto distinguish those seeds from each other 

 that are found to have the nearest resemblance, but producing 

 plants of different species ; and likewise the seeds of such grasses 

 as are of more importance for the agriculturist to distinguish from 

 all others, part of which are the following. 

 Fig. 26. Phalaris aniridinacea, reed-like canary-grass. 



This seed is somewhat cylindrical ; the microscope 

 also shews it to be furnished with hairs at the base, 

 and it is covered by the husks of the corolla ; so far, 

 therefore, it resembles the Aruudines (No. 21.) : how- 

 ever, the hairs of the Arunda encircle the base of the 

 seed ; but in this seed they are divided into two dis- 

 tinct tufts, situated on opposite sides of the base of 

 the seed. But what seems to determine the alliance at 

 first sight between this grass and the Phalaris, is its 

 shining horny crust (No. 4.) : that of the Arundo is 

 membranous, or scale-like ; it is sharp-pointed at each 

 end, but that only tapers to a blunt point. The nu- 

 tritive matter afforded by this grass has qualities more 

 analogous to that of the different species of Phalaris, 

 than to that of the Arundines; I have, therefore, fol- 

 lowed Schrader, in ranking it with the Phalarides.* 

 Refer. 1. A seed of Phalaris arundinacea, the natural size. 



2. The same magnified. 



3. Husks^ the natural size. 



4. The same magnified. 



Fig. 27. Phleum pratetise, var. minor, lesser variety of meadow 

 cat's-tail grass. 



This seed, of a very inferior variety of meadow cat's- 

 tail, is distinguished from that of the true variety, or 

 Timothy-grass, in being one-third smaller, of a rounder 

 form ; and the dagger-points, or fork of the seed vessel, 

 shorter, and bent rather outwards : while those of the 

 true variety are nearly straight, or inclined inwards. 



* " Corolla duplici et semine corolla interiori corticato nostrum graiuen a Plia- 

 laridis genere baud commode disjungitur, pili corollam Aruiidiimm cingeiites, pro- 

 prie desunt; nee semen, ut in illo genere, librum ec corolla membranacea tectum, 

 sed corolla cartilagenea corticatum. Neque etiam ulla nos necessitas cogit, ut 

 illud prodistincto genere habeamus." 



Schrader. Flora Gcrmuniai, \ol. i. p. 182. 



