NATURAL HISTORY. 77 



lower is nearly wanting, and the spikes are more erect. It 

 flourishes on sandy, dry soils, especially near the coast. Flow- 

 ers in August, or no value for cultivation. 



Smooth Crab Grass, (^panicum g-labrum,') resembles the 

 last, with the spikes digitate, three to four, spreading, rachis 

 flat and thin, spikelets ovoid. It is common in cultivated 

 grounds, waste places, and on sandy fields. Flowers in August 

 and September. A troublesome weed. 



Finger Grass, Common Crab Grass, (panicum sanguinale .') 

 The panic grasses are widely spread and common over the State. 

 The generic characters are, two flowered panicled spikelets, 

 flowers with or without awns, glumes two, lower one short or 

 minute, the upper long as the fertile flower, upper flower per- 

 fect, closed, flattish, awnless, stamens three. 



The stems of the finger grass are from one to two feet high, 

 erect, spreading, leaves and sheaths hairy, spikes four to fifteen, 

 digitate, upper glume half the length of the flower, lower one 

 small. This grass grows on Waste or neglected cultivated 

 grounds and gardens, and yards, and is generally regarded as a 

 troublesome weed. Introduced. Flowers from August to 

 October. 



Agrostis-like Panic Grass, (^pajiicum ag-rostoides,') differs 

 from the preceding species in having the stems flattened, 

 upright, two feet high, leaves long, sheaths smooth, spikelets on 

 the spreading branches crowded and one sided, ovate, oblong-, 

 acute, purplish. It is common on wet meadows and borders of 

 rivers. Flowers in July and August. 



Prolific Panic Grass, (^panicum proliferiim,^ grows on 

 brackish marshes and meadows, and is common along the coast. 

 It sometimes appears on dry places. Cattle are fond of it. 

 It differs from the preceding in having culms thickened, succu- 

 lent, branched and bent, ascending from a procumbent base, 

 and spikelets appressed, lance-oval, of a pale green color. 



Hair Stalked Panic Grass, (^panicum capillare,^ grows in 

 sandy soils and cultivated fields every where. Its culm is 

 upright, often branched at the base, and forming a tuft, sheaths 

 flattened, very hairy, panicle pyramidal, hairy, compound and 

 very loose, spikelets scattered on long pedicels, oblong, pointed. 

 Flowers in August and September. 



Tall Smooth Panic Grass, {panicum virgatum.} Stems 



