104 HORTUS GRAMINKUS WOBURNENSIS. 



grass of the latter- math, and the grass at the time of flower- 

 ing, are of equal proportional value. 



Though this is one of the earliest flowering grasses, it is 

 tender, and the spring produce of herbage is very inconsi- 

 derable, the flowering straws rising up in a manner destitute 

 of leaves. This deficiency of produce is much to be re- 

 gretted, as the nutritive qualities of the grass are greater 

 than in most of the early spring grasses : it sends forth but 

 a few flower straws, which are of a slender structure, com- 

 pared to the size of the leaves. This accounts, 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 c(£7'uleaj, Alpine 

 meadov»7-grass fpoa Alpina), and the sweet-scented vernal- 

 grass (antlioxanthum 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 shown, 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 extractive matter, and a pecu- 

 liar 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 re- 

 commending 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 avenaceus. 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 bulbous. 



/'Vi>-. 1. Calyx. 2. The two florets, showing the bent awn 

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

 fertile floret slightly elevated. 3. Barren floret, with 



