58 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO [CH. 
forms a small proportion of the crop. One of the earliest 
grasses, and the principal one, which gives the scent to 
new-mown hay: a perfume has been extracted from it. 
Its value as fodder is probably overrated. Bitter tasted. 
Leaves more or less hairy at margins, especially at throat of 
sheath, flat, and slightly ridged. Sheath furrowed, often 
pubescent. Ligule long and blunt, with ciliate margins. 
Sweet scented when dried. The most shallow rooted of 
all meadow-grasses. Leaves often short and few. 
Anthoxanthum is sometimes confused with Arrhenatherum (see 
p- 56) and Molinia ; the latter differs in its ligule—a tuft of hair— 
its stringy roots, tapering leaf-base, less obvious ridges, and smooth 
sheaths, &c. 
Anthoxanthum is deep green and often very luxurious in rich wet 
soils—e.g. in Devonshire. 
(c) Ears as mere collar-like ledges where the blade joins 
the sheath. Sheath usually pubescent or hispid with 
reflexed hairs. Ridges inconspicuous. Ligule very 
short. 
* Perennial, with firmer leaves. 
Hordeum sylvaticum, Huds. (Wood Barley). Leaves 
flat, thin but firm, rather broad, scaberulous. Sheath 
hispid, with reflexed hairs. Blade not tapering below. 
Translucent spaces between the veins as broad as the 
latter. Ligule short and blunt. Shady places. Useless. 
Hordeum pratense, Huds. (Meadow Barley). Tufted, or 
bulbous below. Leaves narrower, flat, tending to roll up, 
scabrid above and hairy beneath. Sheath narrow, hairy. 
Moist meadows, and of some use as pasture in the young 
state. 
