9b' GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



tending very slightly beyond the summit of the palea, (Fig. 4.) Inner 

 palea rather shorter than the outer palea, with two green marginal 

 ribs delicately fringed. Styles very short. Stigmas branched. The 

 whole plant is more or less glaucous. 



Obs. — Poa procumbens differs from Poa maritima, in the root being 

 annual and fibrous ; rachis and branches rough to the touch ; leaves 

 broad and almost invariably flat ; ribs of the glumes very prominent ; 

 and the central rib of the outer palea extending slightly beyond the 

 summit ; whereas in P. maritima the root is creeping and perennial ; 

 rachis and branches smooth to the touch ; leaves narrow and almost 

 always folded ; ribs of the glumes distinct but not prominent ; and 

 the central rib of the outer palea not extending beyond the summit. 

 (Plate XLII.) 



From Poa distans, in the panicle being close ; branches unilateral, 

 leaving the rachis behind perfectly bare; never deflexed; ribs of 

 the glumes very prominent, and the dorsal rib of the outer palea ex- 

 tending slightly beyond the summit; — whereas in P. distans the 

 panicle is spreading, the lower branches ultimately becoming deflexed ; 

 ribs of the glumes distinct but not prominent ; and the dorsal rib of 

 the outer palea not reaching to the summit. (Plate XLI.) 



From Poa rigida and Poa loliacea, in the glumes being obtuse and 

 having distinct lateral ribs ; — whereas in P. rigida and P. loliacea 

 the glumes are acute and without lateral ribs. (Plate XLIII.) 



Poa procumbens is found growing in waste ground near the sea. 

 Seldom met with either in Scotland or Ireland ; more common in 

 England, in Durham, York, Glo'ster, Norfolk, Sufl"olk, Essex, Sus- 

 sex, Dorset, and Devon ; also a native of Germany and France. Not 

 found in Lapland or America. 



Flowers in the second week of July, and ripens its seed in the 

 middle of August 



