264 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



Bromus racemosus (variety) subsecalinus. 



Smooth Oval Brome- Grass. 



Plate CXX. 



This variety differs from the preceding, merely in the spike- 

 lets being smaller and of a more oval form. It is very liable to be 

 mistaken for the following species, (^Bromus secalinus,) from which 

 it is distinguished in the outer palea when opened forming an obtuse 

 angle on the upper half, and the apex of the large glume being situ- 

 ated half-way between the base of the glume and a little beyond the 

 summit of the third floret on the same side ; — while in Bromus secali- 

 nus the upper half of the outer palea is very much rounded, and the 

 apex of the large glume is half-way between the base of the glume 

 and the summit of the second floret on the same side. 



It is a variety found growing with the preceding, and equally 

 common. 



It is a very inferior grass for agricultural purposes. 



Flowers early in June. 



The accompanying figure was drawn from a specimen gathered 

 near Edinburgh. 



Explanation of Plate CXX. Bromus racemosus (variety) subseca- 

 linus, natural size. 



1. Si^ikelet, showing the two glumes and nine florets. 



2. Glumes. 



3. Floret, showing the two paleae. 



4. Outer palea opened, showing the seven ribs. 



5. Inner palea fringed. 



6. Ligule. 



7. Ovarium, pistils, stamens, and scales. 



