GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 37 



one palea, (Fig. 2), of an ovate form, live-ribbed, minutely toothed at 

 the summit, slightly hairy at the base, furnished with a long dorsal 

 awn arising from a little above the base, and extending half its length 

 beyond the summit of the palea. On some occasions the awn is very 

 short, (Fig. 6.) 



alpina, (Plate XV. ) a small alpine variety fi'om t\vo 



to three inches in length, differing in no respect whatever, except in 

 size, from the Agrostis canina already described. Agrostis alpina of 

 Koch. This variety is found in the Isle of Arran, on the summit of 

 Ben Lawers, and the Clova mountains. Flowering in July and Au- 

 gust. 



For agricultural purposes this grass is comparatively of no value- 

 It grows chiefly on poor, wet, peaty soil, in small detached patches, 

 seldom combined with any other species of grass. 



It is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as in Swe- 

 den, Denmark, Germany, France, and Italy. Frequent in America, 

 but is stated to have been introduced from Europe. 



23. Calamagrostis stricta. * 

 Small Close Reed. 



Specific Characters. — Awn arising from below the centre of the 

 outer palea. Hairs not longer than the floret. (Plate XVI.) 



Description. — It grows from eighteen inches to two feet high. Tlie 

 root is perennial, creeping. Stem erect, round and slightly roughish ; 

 bearing two or three leaves with smooth striated sheaths ; the upper 

 sheath longer than its leaf, crowned with a very small ligule. Joints 

 smooth. Leaves narrow, acute and roughish. Infiorescence com^ 

 pound panicled. Panicle from three to five inches long, rather close ; 

 branches and rachis rough. Calyx of two nearly equal rather 

 broadish membranous glumes, (Fig. 1), without lateral ribs; rough- 

 ish on the back ; containing one awned floret. Floret of two paleae, 

 (Fig. 2), the outer palea equal in length to the calyx, of an ovate form, 

 jagged at the summit, fmniished at the base with long, straight hairs 



• Calamogrostis stricta, Koch, Lindley, Hooker. Arundo strictOf Smith, Hooker, 

 Ft. Scot. 



