192 llORTUS GRA.M1NEUS WOHURNENSIS. 



side; calyx three-flowered, shorter than the florets; 

 leaves flat, downy. 

 Obs. — Root fibrous, inclining to stoloniferous ; culms 

 numerous, erect, rounded striated, smooth, from six 

 inches to a foot, and two feet high, according to the 

 nature of the soil and shelter ; leaves flat and rough on 

 the margin, the other parts soft, with downy hairs ; 

 florets purplish and silvery white ; corolla bearded at 

 the base, larger valve with an awn fixed at the middle, 

 at first straight, afterwards jointed and bent back, 

 longer than the valve. Native of Britain. Perennial. 

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



a sandy loam is 15,654 lbs. per acre. 

 The produce of latter-math is 6,806 lbs. per acre. 

 The downy hairs which cover the surface of the leaves of 

 this o^rass when growing on poor dry or chalky soils, almost 

 disappear when culvated on richer soils. It has properties 

 which recommend it to the notice of the agriculturist, being- 

 hardy, and a small impoverisher of the soil ; the reproductive 

 power is also considerable, though the foliage does not attain 

 to a great length, if left growing. 



It flowers in the second or third week of June, and the 

 seed is ripe about the beginning or in the middle of July. 



MELICA carulea. Purple Melic-grass. 



Specific character : Petals beardless, acute ; panicle close, 

 erect, compound ; flowers upright, cylindrical. Native 

 of Britain. Perennial. 



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

 a light sandy soil is 7,486 lbs. per acre. 



For the purposes of pasture or hay, this grass is compara- 

 tively of no value. It is said that goats, horses, and sheej) 

 eat it : I have laid it before cows and sheep, but they turned 

 from it : I have observed hares to crop the foliage in the 

 spring. The Rev. G. Swayne in Withering's Arrangements, 

 informs us, that in the turf-moors below Glastonbury, 

 Somersetshire, it grows in great abundance. The country 

 people make of the straws a neat kind of besonjs, which they 



