HOLCUS MOLLIS. 
Linnzvs. Hooxrer anp Arnotr. Smita. Parnetn. Linpiey. 
Kocu. Witipenow. Curtis. Knapp. SINCLAIR. 
Scuraper. Leers. Host. Scureser. Basinaton. Hupson. Assor. 
Wirnerina. Retwan. Hut. Siprnorp. DicKxson. 
PLATE XXVI. 
The Creeping Soft Grass. 
Holcus—To extract. Mollis—Soft. 
Hotcus. Linneus.—Of the genus Holcus, or “Soft-Grass,” England can 
boast of only two species, both exceedingly interesting plants. The name 
is derived from the Greek, and signifies to extract; the genus taking this 
singular name because it was supposed to have the property of drawing out ~ 
thorns from the flesh. 
A Grass of no agricultural value, as cattle refuse to eat it, 
whilst its long creeping roots speedily impoverish the soil. Its 
favourite habitat is sandy, light, barren soil. 
Common in Britain, Sweden, Denmark, France, Germany, 
and Italy. 
Stem upright, circular, and smooth, bearing four or five flat, 
broad, acute, soft, roughish, pale green leaves, with usually 
smooth sheaths, upper sheath considerably longer than its leaf. 
Joints four, hairy. Inflorescence compound-panicled. Panicle 
upright, and slightly pendulous at the apex. Spikelets consisting 
of two florets, the upper one awned. Calyx consisting of two 
equal-length glumes, membranous, and keels hairy. Upper 
glume three-ribbed; lower one destitute of lateral ribs. Florets 
of two palee. From near the apex of the upper floret arises 
