130 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



in being of smaller growth ; the stem on the upper part more or less 

 rough and angular, especially under the panicle ; upper leaf invo- 

 lute, rough on the outer surface, and the root fibrous ; — whereas in 

 Festuca duriuscula the stem immediately under the panicle is round 

 and smooth, the upper leaf mostly flat and smooth on the outer sur- 

 face, and the root is more or less creeping. (See Plate LVIIL) 



This grass grows naturally on rather dry sandy soils ; frequently at 

 an elevation of 4000 feet above the sea, and forms the greater part of 

 sheep pasture grounds in the Highlands. It is the favourite food of 

 sheep ; they prefer it to all other grasses, for although small it is very 

 nutritious. Linnaeus states that sheep have no relish for hills and 

 heaths that are destitute of this grass. The smallness of its 

 produce renders it entirely unfit for hay. It is a common grass 

 throughout Scotland, England, and Ireland ; also a native of Lap- 

 land, Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Por- 

 tugal, Italy, Russia, Iceland, Siberia, Greenland, and North Ame- 

 rica. 



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

 middle of July. 



86. Festuca duriuscula. * 

 Hard Fescue- Grass. 



Specific Characters. — Awn not as long as the palea. Stem under 

 the panicle smooth. Upper leaf smooth on the outer surface. (Plate 

 LVIIL) 



Description. — It grows from one to two feet high. The root is 

 perennial, somewhat creeping, occasionally throwing out lateral shoots. 

 Stem erect, round, smooth, bearing three or four leaves with smooth 

 striated sheaths ; upper sheath longer than its leaf, crowned with a 

 very short, unequal bi-lobed ligule. Joints two or three, smooth. 

 Leaves of the stem somewhat lanceolate, acute, Jiat, smooth behind, 

 roughish and slightly downy on the inner surface, about eight or nine- 

 ribbed, broader than the radical leaves, which are linear (very long 

 in shady places), compressed, and somewhat fleshy. Inflorescence 



* Festucot duriuscula, Linn,, Smith, Hooker, Grenlle, Lindley, 

 4 



