20 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



rous, compressed, (Fig. 3), arranged on the rachis on very short foot- 

 stalks ; of one minutely awned floret, shorter than the calyx. Cahjx 

 of two glumes of equal lengths, (Fig. 1), with a broad, obtuse mem- 

 branous margin ; the keels fringed with short, stout, white hairs ; 

 each glume terminating in a stout, rough awn, more than half the 

 length of the glume, (but not as long as the glume.) Floret of two 

 membranous palese, (Fig. 2), the outer palea ovate, five-ribbed, jag- 

 ged at the summit, hairy on the keel, terminating in a minute, rough, 

 dorsal aion. Inner palea rather shorter than the outer palea, mem- 

 branous, with the margins delicately fringed. 



Obs. — Phleum alpinum is at all times easily distinguished by its 

 short, oval, bristly panicle. The only species that it is likely to be 

 confounded with is Alopecurus alpinus, whose panicle is soft and 

 silky. The glumes of the calyx acute but not awned, and the floret 

 of only one palea. (See Plate IV.) 



This grass is found on several of the Highland mountains in 

 Scotland, growing in rather moist situations about 3500 feet above 

 the sea ; on Craigneulict, a hill above Killin, Garway moor, Ben 

 Lawers, Clova mountains. It does not exist either in England or 

 Ireland. It is common in Lapland, Norway, and Sweden, and 

 also in Germany and Switzerland. It is found in the most northern 

 parts of North America, but is unknown in the United States. It is 

 of no material agricultural use, as sheep seldom eat it. Its lower 

 limit of altitude about 2500 feet above the sea. Flowers in July, and 

 ripens its seed about the end of August. 



10. Phleum arenarium.* 

 Sea Cafs-Tail Grass. 



Specific Characters. — Glumes lanceolate. Floret one- third the 

 length of the calyx. (Plate VII.) 



Description. — It grows fi*om three to fifteen inches high. The 



* Phleum arenarium, Linn. Smith, Hooker, Lindley, Greville, Koch. Phalarit 

 arenaria, Knapp. 



