HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 29 



The fringes here terminate abruptly, before they reach 

 the base of the dagger-hke points ; while in the true 

 and valuable variety they gradually diminish towards 

 these points : all which will appear manifest on refer- 

 ring to fig. 5. 

 Fig. 28. Alopecurus agrestis, slender fox-tail-grass. 



Here we have a seed which is covered with the husks 

 of the corolla, the larger valve of which is furnished 

 with an awn. On referring to Fig. 8. we find this to 

 be the discriminating character of the seed of the Fox- 

 tail grass, (Alopecurus,) and that it differs from the 

 seed of that species, (Alopecurus prateiisis, or peren- 

 nial meadow fox-tail,) in being smoother and naked, 

 or wanting the downy hairs which clothe the surface 

 of the former : this may be perceived by the naked 

 eye, or even sufficiently by the touch. On passing 

 some seeds between the fingers, that of the meadow, 

 or perennial fox-tail, will be found quite soft ; but 

 that of the slender, or annual species, hard and un- 

 pleasant. 

 Refer. 1. A seed of the Alopecurus agrestis, natural size. 



1. The same magnified. 



2. A naked seed magnified. 



Fig. 29. Holcus mollis, creeping-rooted, or soft couch-grass. 



The grass which produces this seed is one of the 

 most troublesome weeds or couches that infest light 

 dry soils. The near resemblance which it bears to the 

 woolly soft grass, (Holcus lanatus,) causes it often to 

 be confounded with that grass. The seeds are readily 

 distinguished at the first view ; those of the lanatus 

 (see Fig. 10.) are covered with woolly hairs, and 

 loosely envelop the seed with the husks. But the 

 seed of the mollis is perfectly smooth and shining. 

 Refer. 1. A seed, the natural size, as it appears in practice. 



1. The same magnified. 



2. A naked seed frequently met with. 



3. A diseased seed, with the clavus magnified. 

 Fig. 30. Air a. Jiexu OS a, zigzag hair-grass. 



The seed of this grass is introduced here, not be- 

 cause it possesses any very valuable properties or the 

 reverse, but that, as it is very common on sandy soils, 



