114 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



arising from a little below the bifid membranous apex of the outer 

 palea. 



velutlnus (Plate 1884, Eng. Bot.) A variety with large 



ovate-oblong spikelets of ten to fifteen florets. Occasionally met with. 

 Broimis velutinus, Hooker, Smith. Bromus multiflorus, Eng. Bot. 



Obs. — Bromus secalimis is readily distinguished from Bromus race- 

 mosus and Bromus mollis, in the apex of the large glume being mid- way 

 between its base and the summit of the second floret of the same side ; 

 — whereas in B. racemosus and B. mollis it is midway between its base 

 and the summit of the third floret. ( See Fig. 3). This character I find 

 constant, and can therefore be depended on at any stage of growth. 



From Bromus arvensis, in the spikelets having fewer florets ; outer 

 palea rounded at the summit, and much broader compared to its 

 length ; twice its width more than equals its length by one-third ; — 

 whereas in B. arvensis the outer palea is more of a conical form, 

 and twice its width exactly equals its length, (Fig. 4). 



Bromus secalinus is a troublesome weed to the farmer, especially 

 when it takes possession in wheat and rye-fields. It is readily dis- 

 tinguished when growing in these situations, as it overtops the sur- 

 rounding grass, and the panicle droops as the seeds advance to ma- 

 turity. It is an early grass, but the quantity of herbage is too limit- 

 ed to admit of its being cultivated with advantage. The seeds, it is 

 said, are often the cause of bitter flour. 



It is a frequent grass in the cultivated districts of Scotland, Eng- 

 land, and Ireland ; also a native of Norway, Sweden, Germany, 

 France, Italy, and West Asia. Not met with in the United States, 

 Its limit of altitude seems to be about 500 feet above the sea. 



Flowers in the first week of June, and ripens its seed about the 

 end of the same month. 



76. Bromus arvensis.* 

 Taper Field Brome-Grass. 



Specific Characters. — Large glume seven-ribbed. Panicle droop- 

 ing. Spikelets linear-lanceolate. (Plate XLIX.) 



* Bromus acmisis, Koch, Smith, Hooker, Lindley. . 

 3 



