34 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



of two palese, (Fig. 2) the outer palea ovate, minutely notched at the 

 summit without lateral ribs, smooth at the base. Inner palea about 

 half the length of the outer palea, membranous, with the margins 

 entire. 



pumila, (Plate XII.) a very small variety, from two to 



three inches long ; the root much tufted, throwing out three or four 

 somewhat procumbent stems ; ligule very short and obtuse ; sheaths 

 smooth. Common on dry alpine situations ; flowering in July and 

 August. 



aristata, (Plate XIII.) a variety growing to the height 



of fifteen inches. The leaves rough ; sheaths smooth ; ligule short 

 and obtuse, but rather more prominent than in Agrostis vulgaris. 

 Outer palea with a long slender dorsal awn arising a little above the 

 base, (Fig. 2), and extending conspicuously beyond the glumes of the 

 calyx. Sometimes the awn is very short, scarcely perceptible, as seen 

 in (Fig. 4.) Inner palea very thin, about half the length of the outer 

 palea, furnished at the base with a tuft of short hairs. Care must be 

 taken so as not to mistake this grass for Agrostis canina, whose floret 

 has but one palea, and the ligule is long and pointed. 



Agrostis vulgaris is distinguished from Agrostis alba in the sheaths 

 of the leaves being smooth to the touch ; the ligule short and obtuse, 

 and the large glume of the calyx toothed only on the upper part ; — 

 whereas in A. alba the sheaths are rough (distinctly felt by passing 

 the finger from above downwards, but smooth in the opposite direc- 

 tion.) The ligule long and acute, and the large glume of the calyx 

 toothed nearly to the base. 



This grass is said to be disliked by cattle generally, and is not of 

 sufficient importance to merit the attention of agriculturists. It grows 

 on dry heaths and pastures, sometimes at an elevation of nearly 2000 

 feet above the sea. 



It is common throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland ; is found 

 in Lapland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, 

 and Northern Africa, It also occurs in America as far north as la- 

 titude 72. 



Flowers in the first week of July, and ripens its seed in the se- 

 cond week of August. 



