GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 277 



( Plate CXXIY. j in the spikelets being smaller ; inner palea acute, 

 equal in length to the outer ; anthers about four times as long as 

 broad ; all the florets except the lowermost shorter than their awns ; 

 — whereas in Bromus commutatus the spikelets are longer ; inner palea 

 more obtuse, and not as long as the outer ; anthers shorter : and all 

 ihejlorets longer than their awns. 



Bromus arvensis is distinguished from Bromus patulus (Plate 

 CXXVII.) in the outer palea having seven ribs; inner palea equal 

 in length to the outer ; spikelets smaller ; and the anthers three times 

 longer ; — whereas in Bromus patulus the outer palea has nine ribs ; 

 inner palea shorter than the outer ; spikelets longer : and the anthers 

 much shorter. 



This species of Brome-grass seems to have been tirst noticed in Bri- 

 tain by Sherard, who gathered specimens at Southampton, and a 

 characteristic figure of the plant is given in Sowerbv's Enghsh Bo- 

 tany. It is also accurately described by Sir Edward Smith in his 

 English Flora. Sir William Hooker, however, in his British Flora, 

 has described the Bromus commutatus of Schrader under the name 

 of Bromus arvensis, and has therefore omitted to mention the true 

 Bromus arvensis of Linnaeus. It is occasionally found in England, 

 but cannot be regarded as a true native any more than Bromus 

 commutatus and Bromus patulus, which have no doubt found their 

 way into this country through human agency. 



It is a native of France, Germany, and Italy, where I have seen it 

 growing plentifully in corn-fields and road sides, in the months of Jul v 

 and August. It is also found in Lapland, Norway, Sweden, and 

 "West Asia. It has not been noticed either in Scotland or Ireland 



Flowers in June and July, and ripens its seed about the middle of 

 August. 



The accompanying figiu'e was drawn from a specimen sent me by 

 Mr Gibson, who gathered it near Hebden Bridge. Yorkshire, 



Explanation of Plate CXXVI. Bromus an:ensis, natural size. 



Fig. 1. Spikelet, showing the two glumes and seven florets. "j 



2. Second floret, showing the two paleae. j -6 



3. Outer palea opened, showing the seven ribs. \. -'S 



4. Ligule. j S" 



5. Ovarium, pistils, stamens, and scales, j S 



