256 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



Bromus mollis. 



Soft Brome- Grass. 



Plate CXVI. 



As the Bromi are so liable to be confounded by young botanists, 

 I have here given extra plates of some of the more closely allied spe- 

 cies, pointing out more fully their specific distinctions and varieties. 



Bromus mollis is distinguished by the spikelets being hairy, with 

 the apex of the large glume situated midway between the base of the 

 glume and the summit of the third floret on the same side, as seen 

 in Fig. 1. 



It is distinguished from Bi^omus racemosus^ in the spikelets being 

 hairy, and the middle rib of the glumes not toothed ; — whereas in Bro- 

 mus racemosus the spikelets are not hairy but glossy, and the middle rib 

 or keels of the glumes minutely toothed on the upper half, (see Plate 

 CXIX., Fig. 1.) 



Independent of the specific distinctions between these too closely 

 allied species, they seem to differ somewhat in habit, although some 

 authors have placed them as varieties. 



Explanation of Plate CXVI. Bromus mollis^ natural size. 



Fig. 1. Spikelet, showing the two glumes and eleven florets. 



2. Glumes, 



3. Second Floret, showing the outer and inner palese, ^vith an awn equal 



in length to its palea ; the a^m of the lowermost florets being always 

 shorter than its palea. 



4. Outer palea opened, showing the seven ribs. 



5. Inner palea, strongly fringed with stout biistly hairs. 



6. Ligule. 



7. Ovarium, with the styles arising from below the summit. 



For further description see page 110. 



Bromus mollis, Linn., Smith, Hooker, With., Mackay, Koch, Kunth. Sermfalcus 

 mollis, Parlatore, Babington. 



