112 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



sheaths ; the upper sheath crowned with an obtuse ragged ligule ; the 

 lowermost sheaths soft and hairy, (the hairs pointing downwards). 

 Joints five, slightly pubescent. Leaves flat, linear lanceolate, pubes- 

 cent, soft to the touch, scabrous at the points. Inflorescence racemed or 

 simple panicled. Raceme erect, its branches rough, the lower ones aris- 

 ing from the rachis mostly in threes. Spikelets erect, ovate, somewhat 

 polished, of a light green, usually of eight awned florets ; the sum- 

 mit of the large glume being midway between its base and the apex 

 of the third floret, (Fig. 3). Calyx of two broad nearly equal glumes, 

 (Fig. 1), rough to the touch, membranous at the margins, toothed on 

 the upper half of the keel ; inner glume seven-ribbed ; outer glume, 

 which is the smaller, three-ribbed. Florets of two palese (Fig 2) ; 

 outer palea of lowermost floret rather longer than the glumes, glossy, 

 roughish to the touch, (not hairy), seven-ribbed ; the dorsal rib mi- 

 nutely toothed on the upper part, and terminating in a rough awn, 

 which is not quite the length of the palea ; membranous at the mar- 

 gins, and mostly bifid at the summit. Inner palea linear oblong, 

 very little shorter than the outer palea, furnished with two green ribs 

 fringed with white hairs. Awn slightly wavy, arising from a little 

 below the bifid membranous apex of the outer palea. 



Obs. — Bromus racemosus is distinguished from Bromus mollis, in 

 the calyx and florets being rough to the touch, (not hairy), and the 

 upper third of the central ribs of both glumes and outer palea mi- 

 nutely toothed ; — whereas in B. mollis the calyx and florets are soft, 

 covered with a number of slender hairs, and the central ribs of the 

 glumes and outer palea hairy but not toothed. 



From Bromus secalinus and Bromus arvensis, in the summit of the 

 large glume being half-way between its base and summit of the third 

 floret on the same side ; — whereas in B. secalinus and B. arvensis, 

 the summit of the large glume is half-way between its base and sum- 

 mit of the second floret, (Fig. 3). 



Bromus racemosus, although of early growth, will not compensate 

 the farmer for its cultivation, as the quantity of leaves it produces are 

 very few, and they soon wither, afibrding but little nourishment to 

 cattle. It grows best in poor gravelly soil, and is scarcely ever found 

 in rich pastures. It is a frequent grass in Scotland, England, and Ire- 



