232 IIORTIJS GItAMINEUS WORU RNENSl S. 



Native of Britain. Root perennial. 



ExpcvimoHs. — A.i the time of flowering, the produce 

 from a strong tenacious clay is 13,G12 lbs. per acre. 



The above produce was taken from grass that had occu- 

 pied the ground four years, during which time it had 

 increased every year ; it therefore appears capable of being 

 cultivated as a permanent pasture grass, which is contrary 

 to what has been supposed of the flote fescue. Some writers 

 on the subject of grasses inform us, that kine and iiogs are 

 fond of this grass, and that cows, in the spring, are fre- 

 quently enticed into bogs, by endeavouring to get at the 

 young shoots, which appear earlier than most other grasses. 

 The result of my observations lead me to believe, that when 

 cattle eat this grass it is more through wantonness than any 

 particular relish they have for it. On a bog, where this 

 grass was in much abundance, black cattle only cropped the 

 extremities of the leaves, while the foliage of the agrosiis 

 stulonifora aristata, poa trivia/iSf and ahpecurus pratensis, 

 which grew in company with it, were closely eaten down. 

 Birds are fond of the seeds, and generally strip the panicle 

 ere the seeds are all perfected. Schreber informs us, that it 

 is cultivated in several parts of Germany for the sake of the 

 seeds, which are esteemed a delicacy in soups and gruels. 

 When ground into meal, they make bread very little inferior 

 to that from wheat. The bran is oiven to horses that have 

 the worms, but they must be kept from water some hours 

 afterwards. Fish, particularly trout, are said to be fond of 

 the seeds. The seed will not vegetate unless kept very 

 moist ; indeed I never could obtain any plants from the seed 

 except when sown in mud : when raised in this manner, and 

 transplanted on a tenacious clay, the plants throve very well;^ 

 and on the fourth year afforded the produce above stated. 



Flowers from the first or second vireek of July, till the end 

 of summer. 



AIRA aquatica. Water Hair-grass. 



Specific character: Panicle expanding; florets vvitliou?= 

 awns, smooth; longer than the calyx ; husks obtuse. 



