92 HIEROCHLOE BOREALIS. 
This is the Grass used for strewing before the Prussian 
churches. In Sweden it is hung over beds in the belief that 
it induces sleep. In Iceland it is used to scent the clothes 
and apartments of the inhabitants, and in that island it is a 
common species. ‘The scent emitted is very similar to that of 
our Sweet-Scented Vernal Grass, ( Anthozanthum odoratum.) 
The stem stout, upright, circular, and smooth, carrying three 
or four wide, brief, lanceolate, roughish leaves, with smooth 
sheaths, the upper one somewhat swollen, considerably longer 
than its leaf, and having a bold broad ligule at its apex. 
Joints hid by the sheaths, near the base of the stem, and smooth. 
Inflorescence compound-panicled. Panicle upright, except near 
the apex. Branches smooth, spreading, proceeding from the 
rachis in pairs; colour purplish. Spikelets of good size, glossy, 
green and purple, consisting of three awnless florets hid by 
the calyx. Calyx of two almost equal-sized, smooth, acute, 
broad glumes, destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two palex; 
the exterior one of lowest floret five-ribbed; edges fringed; 
keel rough and slightly hairy; interior one shorter, with entire 
apex. Filaments in perfect floret two, in barren floret three. 
Anthers conspicuous, pendulous, and notched at either extremity. 
Ovarium ovate. Styles two. Stigmas feathery. Length from 
twelve to eighteen inches. Root creeping and perennial. 
Flowers at the commencement of May, and ripens its seed in 
June. 
The specimen for illustration was gathered near Thurso by 
Mr. R. Dick, and forwarded to me by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, 
of Manchester. 
