THE MOUNTAIN. 119 



means of absorbing whatever moisture is contained 

 in the ground, which must, of necessity, at some 

 seasons of the year, be very inconsiderable. Dry, 

 however, though the ground may be, a sufficient 

 quantity of nourishment is always procured to 

 ripen the seeds; hence, if the plant should die, 

 provision is made to supply its place. Of the 

 various kinds which grow in such situations the 

 commonest and most valuable is the " Sheep's* 

 Fescue-grass," so called from its affording those 

 animals an abundant supply of food. The same 

 grass is very common on the sides of mountains ; 

 but in such localities it is more liable to be injured 

 by excess of moisture than by drought. Autumn 

 here is more frequently the season of mists and 

 rain, than of scorching sunny weather ; consequently 

 the same condition of growth would not conduce 

 to the same end, under circumstances so very dif- 

 ferent. Plentiful supplies of water would ensure 

 the support of the matured plants, but would pre- 

 vent the ripening of the seed. Now, mark the wise 

 arrangement by which this difficulty is obviated. 

 In the spring there arises from the centre of the 

 tuft a stalk, bearing a number of buds, and exter- 

 nally resembling the flower-stalk of the lowland 

 grass. As it enlarges, however, instead of deve- 

 loping the rudiments of seeds, it sends out little 

 buds of leaves, shaped precisely like the root- 

 leaves. During the summer these increase in 

 size, and from their base descend small thread-like 

 roots. Towards the commencement of the rainy 

 season, or when it has fully arrived, they fall off, 

 fix themselves in the ground, wherever they may 



* Festuca ovina. Festuca, or Fescue, is supposed to be derived 

 from the Saxon word Fest, signifying " food," " nourishment." 



