H OUT us GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 309 



the spring is likewise inferior. The produce of latter-math is 

 greater than might be expected of a grass with short sluvv-growino- 

 foliage, but the plant has the property of sending up flowering 

 culms till a late period of the season, and the latter-math produce 

 consists chiefly of these. What was said respecting the merits 

 of the first variety may also be said of this one ; for though its 

 produce be greater, and form a better turf, yet it is inferior in 

 early growth, and in the produce of fohage. 



It flowers in the end of July, and the seed is ripe about the 

 beginning of September. 



LOTUS corniculatiis. Bird's-foot trefoil, bird's-foot clover. 



Generic character : Legume cylindrical, straight ; wings of the 

 corolla cohering by their upper edge ; calyx tubular; filaments 

 dilated upwards. — Refer. Fig. 1. Calyx and Anthers magni- 

 fied. 2. Flower natural size. 

 Specific character : Heads depressed, of few flowers ; stems de- 

 cumbent, solid ; legumes spreading, nearly cylindrical ; claw 

 of the keel obovate ; filaments all dilated. E. Bot. 2090. 

 Ohs. — Some Botanists have considered the next following plant 

 (Lotus major) a variety of this " var. larger, stem more up- 

 right." Linn, and Withering. But the difference between 

 them is obvious at the first sight; and this difference remains 

 permanent when the plant is raised from seed and cultivated 

 on different soils. What renders a specific distinction here 

 of most importance to the Farmer, is the difference which 

 exists between them in an agricultural point of view. The 

 stems are prostrate, smooth, apparently free from hairs ; leaves 

 slightly veined underneath, smooth. Curtis, 107 ; Flo. 

 Dan. 991; Wither. A rr. 

 Native of Britain, and all parts of Europe ; also of Japan. Root 



perennial. 

 Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a 

 clayey loam is — 



Grass, 15 oz. The produce per acre 



80 dr. of grass weigh, when dry 



The produce of the space, ditto 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 7019 



