Descriptions of some neiv Grasses. 151 



2. Agrostis cryptandra.* 



Panicle pyramidal, with spreading subalternate branches, 

 hairy at the axils ; flowers racemose, unarmed ; inferior valve 

 of the calyx very short ; superior as long as the sub-equal co- 

 rolla ; sheaths bearded at the throat. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Culm 3 feet high, simple, smooth, leafy, with distant joints. 



Leaves linear, 2 — 3 lines broad, smooth on both sides. Sheaths 

 smooth, closed, longer than the joints, a little swollen with 

 concealed abortive panicles, hairy on the margin, densely 

 bearded at the throat. Stipule a mere bearded ring. 



Panicle large, pyramidal, bursting from the upper sheath, which 

 partly conceals its base ; branches spreading, mostly alter- 

 nate, nearly simple, bearded at the base, which is a little 

 thickened. Flowers disposed in a dense racemose manner, 

 purplish. 



Calyx two-glumed, smooth ; inferior glume scarcely one-third 

 as long as the superior, very acute ; superior linear-lanceo- 

 late, acute, one-nerved. 



Corolla two-valved, nearly equal, about as long as the supe- 

 rior glume, slightly scabrous j valves one-nerved. 



Stamens three ; anthers yellowish, exserted. 



Styles two ; stigmas white, plumose. 



Seed ovate, brown, smooth. 



Nectaries collateral, lanceolate, entire. 



Hab. On the Canadian river. 



3. Agrostis airoides.* 



Panicle pyramidal, with the branches spreading and some- 

 what in pairs, naked at the axils ; flowers solitary, unarmed ; 



