202 HORTliS GRAMINKUS WOBl RNKNSIS. 



much care and attention to obtain either seed or perfect spe- 

 cimens of the flowers. 



SESLERIA carulea. Blue Moor-grass, or cynosuriis ae- 

 ruleus. 



Specific character : Spike egg-oblong, leafy ; bracteas al- 

 ternate ; spikelets two-three-flowered ; outer husk of 

 the corolla with three, seldom five awns ; awns shorter 

 than the husk. 



Native of Britain. Root perennial. 



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

 a light sandy soil incumbent on clay is 7,486 lbs. per 

 acre. The produce of latter-math is 3,403 lbs. per 

 acre. 



If the weight of produce, and the nutritive matter it con- 

 tains, be compared with those of the alpine grasses that are 

 included in this series of experiments, the blue moor-grass 

 will be found greatly superior. It is said to grow wild in 

 mountainous pastures in the north of England, and some- 

 times in marshes, in crevices of the limestone rocks at the 

 foot of Ingleborough lime rocks near Kendal, Malham Cone, 

 and on most of the lime rocks in Craven, Yorkshire. 



Though, as already observed, it is the best of the alpine 

 grasses, yet the above details of its properties do not warrant 

 any recommendation of its cultivation to the farmer. 



Cynosurus caruleus is particularly liked by sheep, and 

 may be used for the fattening of mutton, but makes the wool 

 coarse. — Observation hy the Wetterauer Gesellschaft. 



It flowers about the end of April and the beginning of 

 May, and the seed is ripe in the first and second weeks of 

 June. 



AIRA cristata. Crested Hair-grass ; or Poa cristata, Crested 

 Meadow-grass. 



Specific character : Panicle spike-like ; husks acuminate ; 

 flowers longer than the calyx ; leaves ciliated; glumes 

 all pointed. 



