228 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



Catabrosa aquatica (variety) littoralis. 



Small Water Hair-Grass. 



Plate CII. 



This variety appears to be the same as that mentioned by Sir Wil- 

 liam Hooker in his British Flora, gathered by Mr Wilson on the 

 north shore of Liverpool. I find it common in many places on the 

 west coast of Scotland, growing on the sandy shore within the influ- 

 ence of the tide, forming large patches of nearly half an acre in ex- 

 tent, and sending out shoots in all directions, often to the extent of 

 several feet. The pasture formed of this grass is extremely palatable 

 to cattle, as containing a large portion of saccharine matter, but, as 

 it grows only in wet places, becomes of little agricultural importance. 

 It possesses the same properties as Catabrosa aquatica^ described in 

 page 47, and differs from it only in being of smaller growth, with 

 the glumes containing mostly but one floret. The root is perennial, 

 fibrous, throwing out several prostrate stems, which take root at their 

 joints. Stem hollow, smooth. Leaves and sheaths smooth. Ligule 

 prominent, about as long as broad, very thin. Rachis and branches 

 (when magnified) minutely granulated. Spikelets composed of two 

 glumes, and one or two florets ; the glumes very unequal, without 

 lateral ribs, the lower one much the smaller. Florets obtuse at their 

 summits, three-ribbed ; lowermost floret longer than the glumes ; se- 

 cond floret elevated on a footstalk, about half the length of the floret ; 

 frequently the second floret is altogether wanting. Inner palea ra- 

 ther shorter than the outer palea, obtuse, furnished with a green mar- 

 ginal rib on each side, not fringed. Styles short, distinct, terminal. 

 Stigmas feathery. Filaments slender. Anthers notched at each end. 

 Scales pointed. 



This grass might possibly be mistaken for a Poa, an Aira, or an 

 Agrostis. It is distinguished from a Poa in the glumes containing 

 not more than two florets, and frequently only one floret ; from an 

 Aira in the outer palea not being awned ; and from an Agrostis in the 



