144 HORTUS GRAMINF.US WOB U RN F.N SI S. 



and rabbits are very fond of this clover when cultivated on a 

 rich soil. 



TKW OLIUM pratense perenne. Perennial Red Clover. 



Specific character. 



Obs. — In the fertile grazing lands between Wainfleet and 

 Skegness, in Lincolnshire, this true perennial red clover 

 is abundant. An opportunity was afforded me to exa- 

 mine this species very satisfactorily in its natural soil, 

 when the plants were in full blossom. The root is 

 slightly creeping and extremely fibrous ; in these points 

 it differs essentially from the common broad-leaved 

 clover, the roots of which are almost spindle-shaped, 

 with comparatively few fibres. The common broad- 

 leaved clover is of a lighter green colour, has fewer 

 hairs on the stem and leaves, and grows more upright. 

 The botanical discriminating characters are less obvious, 

 indeed not sufficient to make this plant more than a 

 permanent variety of trifolium pratense. The sheaths 

 are terminated with narrower and longer points, which 

 are set with longer hairs. The flower-stalks are in gene- 

 ral longer and more slender, with an evident disposition 

 to grow bent and flexuose. The heads of flowers are 

 less crowded with florets, although apparently, to the 

 sight, equally as large as the common cultivated clover. 

 When young, the flower-head has the appearance of 

 extreme woolliness or pubescence. 



Last summer, when examining the rich grazing lands in 

 Lincolnshire, I found this plant to be more prevalent than 

 any other species of clover. In the clayey districts, and in 

 soils of a peaty nature, this species of clover was more con- 

 spicuous than in the alluvial soils. The natural appearance 

 of this plant, in these celebrated pastures, is such as to 

 recommend it strongly for cultivation. It being strictly 

 perennial, and the root only slightly creeping, it maybe used for 

 the alternate husbandry, for which the trifolium medium is 

 inadmissible, on account of its creeping roots, constituting 



