HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 169 



counts, in a great measure, for the equal quantities of nutritive 

 matter afforded by the grass at the time of flowering, and that of 

 the latter-math. The grasses which flower about the same time 

 as this species are — blue moor-grass {Sesleria carulea), Alpine 

 meadow-grass {Poa Alpina), and the sweet-scented vernal-grass 

 {Anthoxanthum odoratum). In no instance that I have observed 

 was this grass eaten by the hares and rabbits which preyed upon 

 many of the other grasses. Sir H. Davy has shewn, that 82 parts 

 of the nutritive matter of this grass consist of 72 parts mucilage 

 or starch, four parts saccharine matter, and six parts of bitter ex- 

 tractive matter, and a pecuhar substance which has an acrid taste, 

 more soluble in alcohol than in water. The powerful creeping- 

 roots of this grass, its tender nature, and the great deficiency of 

 foliage in the spring, are demerits which discourage the idea of 

 recommending it farther to the notice of the agriculturist. 



It comes into flower about the end of April, and perfects hardly 

 any seed ; seldom more than two seeds in a panicle are ever found 

 perfect; but few grasses propagate more quickly by the roots. 



HOLCUS avenaceiis. Tall Oat-like Soft-grass. 



Specific character: Calyx smooth ; barren floret lowest, with a 

 sharply-bent prominent awn ; fertile one slightly elevated, 

 scarcely awned ; leaves rather harsh ; root knobbed, or bul- 

 bous. Sm. Engl. Fl.i. p.l08. 



Fig. 1. Calyx. 2. The two Florets, shewing the bent awn in 

 the outer valve of the lower and barren floret ; the fertile 

 floret slightly elevated. 3. Barren Floret, with its bent awn. 



4. Germen, with the stigmas feathered on the upper side. 



5. Germen valves, or Nectary. 



Obs. — In the works of Linnaeus, Curtis, and Host, this grass 

 is found under the name of Avena elatior ; under this name 

 it was also received in the first account of the results of these 

 experiments. The jointed and twisted awn, from the back 

 of the blossom, which caused it to rank with the avena, is 

 frequently wanting altogether, which is evident in the next 

 following variety. It was thought to agree better with the 

 hold in structure ; it has in consequence been referred to 

 that genus by Scopoli, in the Flora Carniolica ; and by Sir 

 James Edward Smith, in the Flo. Brit, and English Botany ; 

 indeed, it appears to belong to neither of these justly, but 



