1080 



of growth, so far as I can see, by which this species is distinguishable 

 at sight from A. geniculatus, nor does A. bulbosus always grow in wa- 

 ter, as Smith asserts, but often in dry or comparatively dry places. 

 I cannot rid my mind of the impression that A. bulbosus and fulvus 

 are but states, or perhaps permanent varieties, of A. geniculatus, much 

 as I could wish to be convinced to the contrary by the many and able 

 botanists who still keep them apart. 



Alopecurus agrestis. In cultivated fields, amongst corn, clover and 

 other crops; far too plentiful. Abundant in the Isle of Wight; ex- 

 tremely common about Ryde, Bembridge, Shanklin, Luccombe, Bon- 

 church, in corn-fields about Thorley, Wellow, Calbourne and most 

 other places. Equally prevalent, I have reason to believe, on main- 

 land Hants. Very common about Winton. Observed between Ports- 

 mouth and Petersfield, and in numerous other parts of the county. 

 Fields by Gill Copse, &c. (Fareham), Mr. W. L. Notcutt. The corn- 

 fields in many parts of the Isle of Wight are visibly tinged with the 

 slender purple and green spikes of this most prolific and troublesome 

 weed, the Black-grass of our farmers (Black-bent in some places), 

 probably from its dark red colour. Flowering from April to Novem- 

 ber, the land is never free from it, but fortunately the species is confined 

 chiefly to the southern parts of Britain, being rare and perhaps not in- 

 digenous to Scotland, and as yet quite unknown to Ireland. Here it 

 is amongst the worst weeds we have, and although so near akin to 

 one of our best pasture grasses (A. pratensis), I am not sure that cat- 

 tle will touch it. Possibly the clover crops infested with it may not 

 be injured by the admixture, when made into hay at least. 



The rare and curious little Knappia agrostidea is not an unlikely 

 plant to be detected eventually in our sandy (and especially mari- 

 time pastures. It is not, however, essentially a sea-side grass, being 

 found far inland on the continent, and is included in the floras of Pa- 

 ris, and various parts of Germany. Its extreme minuteness, and great 

 precocity and brief duration, veil it no doubt from the eye of the ob- 

 server in many places. 



Gaslridium lendigerum. By way-sides, in waste places, dry, rough 

 pastures and cultivated fields, amongst corn, clover, &c, also (but more 

 rarely) in woods and copses ; extremely frequent in the southern part 

 of the county, on or near the coast ; not found, so far as I am aware, 

 in the central and northern districts, or at any considerable distance 

 inland, and varying in abundance in different years, being, moreover, 

 very fugitive and capricious in its localities. Quite frequent, and in 

 many seasons abundant even to profusion, over the greater part of the 



