284 GRASSES or Britain. 



CyXOSURUS ECHINATUS. 



Boufjh Do(js- Tail-Grass. 

 Plate CXXIX. 



The figure given of this grass in Plate XXVIII. is scarcely charac- 

 teristic of the species, as having been drawn from a dried stunted 

 specimen, gathered in Shetland. I therefore substitute the accom- 

 panying figure, \\'hich was taken from a recent plant gathered in the 

 neighbourhood of Edinburgh. 



This grass was pointed out to me by Professor Graham growing 

 in great profusion in an Italian rye-grass field near Granton. It 

 sprung up in large tufts, producing several stems fi^om one to 

 three feet high, bearing panicles of luxuriant growth, often exceeding 

 three inches in length, and were it not for the root being annual, it 

 would rank among the superior agricultural grasses. 



It was in full flower on the 22d of June. The seeds had been in- 

 troduced from'the south of France, mixed with those of the Italian 

 rye-grass. 



According to Mr Murphy, this grass has also recently been dis- 

 covered in Ireland. It is occasionally met with in England, and is 

 common in France, Germany, and Italy. The description will be 

 found in page 66. 



Explanation of Plate CXXIX. Cynosurus echinatits, natural 



Fig. 1. Spikelet with the pectinated involucre. "i 



2. Spikelet, showing the two glumes and two florets. I % 



3. Floret, sho\ving the two palete and long awn. i 'S 



4. Ligule long and pointed. ^ 



5. Ovarium, pistils, stamens, and scales. J 



