80 MOLINIA CHRULEA. 
than its leaf, bearing at its apex a diminutive ligule. Joints 
smooth, and close to the base. Inflorescence compound panicled. 
Panicle upright, lengthy, narrow, and compact; branches slender, 
rough, and situated on the rachis in bunches at certain intervals. 
Spikelets numerous, small, chiefly composed of two, yet some- 
times of three, awnless florets, purplish in colour, and considerably 
longer than the glumes. Calyx smooth, of two unequal, acute 
glumes. Florets of two equal-sized palew, exterior one of basal 
floret smooth, three-ribbed, and acute; imner one having two 
bold marginal ribs of a green colour. Root consisting of a 
multitude of strong fibres, perennial. Length from one to two 
feet and a half. 
Flowers towards the end of July, and ripens its seed at the 
close of August. 
There is a variety known as Molinia depauperata, which 
Lindley and Parnell give as a distinct species, and known as 
the Tawny Melic Grass. It differs in being usually less in size, 
and having the leaves of the stem extending beyond the panicle, 
in the calyx having only one floret, the outer palea being five- 
ribbed. It was discovered on the Clova Mountains, (three 
thousand feet above the sea,) by Mr. Donald Munro. There is 
another variety more dwarf and compact, known as M. cerulea, 
var. breviramosa, distinguished by its dwarf habit and dark purple 
infloresceence—a common Grass on moors. 
The specimen for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Joseph 
Sidebotham, of Manchester. 
