14 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



Description. — It grows from nine to twelve inches high. The root 

 is perennial, somewhat creeping, with long fibres. Stem erect, round, 

 and smooth, slightly procumbent at the base ; bearing four leaves, with 

 smooth striated sheaths ; the upper sheath longer than its leaf, inflat- 

 ed, crowned with a short, obtuse ligule. Joints smooth. Leaves flat, 

 acute, broadish, roughish on the margins and inner surface only. In- 

 Jlorescence panicled. Panicle erect, not an inch in length, close, 

 soft and silky, of an oblong form. Spikelets arranged on all sides 

 of the rachis, erect, of an oval form, of one-awned floret, equal 

 in length to the calyx. Calyx of two glumes (Fig. 1.) of equal lengths, 

 acute, three-ribbed, hairy, as well as the keels and inner margins. 

 Floret of one palea, with two ribs on each side, furnished with a slen- 

 der dorsal awn (which is frequently altogether wanting), arising from 

 a little below the centre, (sometimes from the centre), and extending 

 about one-third its length beyond the summit of the palea. Filaments 

 three, slender. Anthers protruding, notched at each extremity. Styles 

 short, united. Stigmas two, long and feathery. Seeds ovate. 



Obs. — Alopecurus alpinus is known by its short, oval silky-like 

 panicle, which does not exceed an inch in length, and the short awn 

 which arises from about the centre, and extends not more than one- 

 third its length beyond the palea. 



This grass was formerly supposed to be peculiar to the Highlands 

 of Scotland about Loch-na-Gar, 3800 feet altitude above the sea ; 

 Clova, and Ben Lawers ; but is now found in Greenland and the 

 northern parts of British America. It does not grow in dry exposed 

 situations, but in marshy places. Sheep are fond of the lower leaves, 

 and leave the stems untouched. Its lower limit of altitude seems to 

 be about 2500 feet above the sea. 



Flowers in July, and ripens its seed about the end of August. 



6. Alopecurus geniculatus.* 

 Floating Fox-tail Grass. 



Specific Characters. — Awn projecting half its length beyond the 

 palea. (Plate V.) 



• Alopecurus geniculatus y Koch, Smith, Leers, Hooker, Lindley, Greville. 



