GRASSES or SCOTLAND. 41 



Description. — It grows from three to four feet high. The root is 

 perennial, fibrous, ■with several creeping shoots. Stem erect, smooth, 

 slender, glossy, bearing five or six leaves with smooth striated sheaths: 

 the upper sheath crowned with an oblong membranous ligule. Joints 

 smooth. Leaves broad, flat, acute, of a light-green, glossy and 

 smooth on both surfaces except towards the upper part, which is 

 roughish as well as the edges. Inflorescence compound panicled. 

 Panicle erect, large, loose, spreading ; the branches long and slender, 

 arising in alternate clusters at certain distances along the smooth 

 rachis, Spikelets numerous, small, ovate, on slender roughish foot- 

 stalks : of one awnless floret, concealed within the calyx. Calyx of 

 two equal broad membranous glumes (Fig. 1), roughish, three-rib- 

 bed. Floret of two pale<e, (Fig. 2 ), the outer palea smooth, membra- 

 nous, glossv". without any perceptible ribs or keel. Inner palea about 

 the same length as the outer palea, membranous, with the margins 

 entire. 



Obs. — The large loose spreading panicle, with small one floret 

 spikelets, will readily distinguish this grass, independent of the more 

 minute characters. 



There appears to be but little nutritive properties in the foliage of 

 this grass to render it of any agricultiu^ advantage. The seeds are 

 much sought after by small birds, and where game is preserved, this 

 grass is recommended to be encouAged to save the com. It grows 

 naturally in damp shady woods, and will thrive when transplated in 

 open exposed situations. 



It is common in many parts of Scotland as well as in England and 

 Ireland. Found also in Lapland, Norway, and Sweden, and as far 

 south as the ]\Iediterranean. It also occurs in the United States, to 

 the most northern parts of North America. 



Flowers in the second and third weeks of June, and ripens its seed 

 in the second week of Ausrust 



