GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 229 



florets being longer than the glumes. There are many other cha- 

 racters which could be enumerated, but these will be found suflBcient. 

 The seeds and young shoots have the taste of liquorice, which is pe- 

 culiar to this species. 



The accompanying figure was taken from a specimen gathered on 

 the west coast of Cantire, near Killean. 



Explanation of Plate CII. Catahrosa aquatica (var.) littoralis, 

 natural size. 



Fig. 1. Siiikelet of two florets. 



2. Spikelet of one floret. 



3. Gliunes. 



4. Lowermost floret, showing the outer and inner paleae. 



5. Ligule of upper leaf. 



6. Portion of the rachis and branches, showing the granular appearance. 

 7- Pistils, stamens, and scales. 



\ 



