GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 105 



From Poa Jlidtans, in the upper glume having three ribs ; outer 

 palea five-ribbed, with the dorsal rib perfectly smooth : — whereas in 

 P. Jiuiians the upper glume has but one rib ; outer palea seven- 

 ribbed, with the dorsal rib minutely toothed its whole length. 



From Bucetum pratense in the inflorescence being racemed ; — 

 whereas in B. pratense the inflorescence is simple panicled. (Plate 

 XL^I.) 



From genus Festuca (where this grass was formerly placed ), in the 

 leaves of the root being broader than those of the stem ; jiorets not 

 awned ; outer palea membranous at the summit ; — whereas in Festuca 

 the leaves of the root are generally narrower than those of the stem ; 

 Jiorets awned from the extreme summit. 



Bucetum loliaceum grows naturally in moist, rich meadows, and 

 forms a good permanent pasture grass, superior to rye-grass (Lolium 

 perenjie) ; but as it produces hut a small quantity of seed, and that 

 generally imperfect, the culti\ation of this grass bv seed is im- 

 practicable. It may be propagated by transplanting the roots, but 

 this would incur greater labour and expense than the merits of the grass 

 warrant. 



It is a frequent grass in Scotland, England, and Ireland ; also a 

 native of Germany, France, and Italy. Not found in America. 



Flowers in the second week of July : the seeds seldom attain to 

 perfection. 



70. BrCETOI PIL^TEXSE. * 



Meadow Fescue- Grass. 



specific Character. — Panicle simple, (Plate XL^T.) 

 Description. — It grows from fifteen inches to two feet high. The 

 root is perennial, fibrous. Stem erect, round, smooth and striated ; 

 bearing four or five leaves, with smooth striated sheaths ; the upper 

 sheath much longer than its leaf, crowned with a verj- short obtuse 

 ligule, decurrent on one side. Joints four, smooth, the first and se- 

 cond ver\- remote. Leaves lanceolate, acute, flat, scabrous at the points, 



* Bucetum pmtenge, ParaelL Fe^iuca p)-ateiisU, Koch, Smith, Hooker, Greville. 

 Sch(donorvg praiengis, Lindlev. 



