15G Descriptions of some nnv Grasses. 



Calyx two-glumed. much shorter than the spikelets ; glomes 

 unequal, lanceolate, acute. 



Corolla two-valved, nearly equal, smooth and naked at the 

 base, deciduous, awnless ; inferior valve lanceolate, acute, 

 not mucronate, nerveless, somewhat carinate towards the 

 extremity ; superior valve bi-carinate, acute. 



Stamens three ; anthers yellowish. 



Hab. On the shores of the Canadian river. 



This species belongs, perhaps, to the genus Ceratochloa 

 ofP.de Beauvois, but the corolla is not mucronate. It 

 appears to be intermediate between Festuca and Uniola. 

 I could find no traces of pistils in the specimen I examined, so 

 that the plant appears to be dioecious or polygamous. 



On the Hirundo fulva of Veillot, with some general re- 

 marks on the birds of this genus. By Dew*tt Clinton. 

 Read August 9th 1S24. 



The hirundine race, though not generally used for food, 

 nor distinguished for melody of song or beauty of plumage, 

 have ever held a high rank in the estimation of mankind. 

 Swallows are considered among the swiftest of the winged tribe. 

 " True hope," says Shakespear, " is swift, and flies with swal- 

 lows' wings." These birds generally delight in associating 

 with man. They erect their nests in his buildings or in his vicini- 

 ty ; they defend his poultry against the depredations of birds 

 of prey ; and they destroy noxious insects that infest his plan- 

 tations. They are, in all respects, innocent, and the accusa- 

 tion of Virgil,* that they destroy bees, is known to be un- 

 founded, both in this country and in Europe. 



* Georgric IV. 



