THE FLORA 189 



Ammophila, Host. 



A. arenaria, Link. Sea Maram ; Matweed. Muran. 

 Planted locally on the blown sands to prevent them shifting. 

 One of the best and most lasting materials used locally for 

 thatching houses. Per., August. It is recorded that mat 

 and rope making from this species was the only handicraft 

 of the inhabitants of the village of Newborough in Wales 

 about the beginning of the seventeenth century. 



Aira, L. 



A. caryophyllea, L. Silvery Hair-grass. Sandy pasture, 

 upper part of Garadh Gainmhich. Ann., June. 



A. prcecox, L. Early Hair-grass. Common in rather 

 bare rocky places on the hills. Ann., May. This and the 

 preceding species are soon dried up, and can yield nothing 

 but a little early food for sheep. W. 



Deschampsia, Beauv. 



D. ccespitosa, Beauv. Tufted Hair-grass. Cuiseag Airgid(?). 

 Growing in large tufts or tussocks in wet situations, enabling 

 the collector to pass dry-shod over wet and boggy places. 

 The highly ornamental flowering panicles are used for winter 

 decoration. Its very coarse herbage is seldom eaten by 

 animals. Per., July. 



D. flexuosa, Trin. Waved Hair-grass. Moin-fheur, C. 

 Frequent in rough pastures and meadows, often on peaty 

 soils. Per., July. The seed of this species is often sub- 

 stituted for the more valuable Yellow Oat-grass. 



D, flexuosa, b. montana, Hook. fil. A pretty, purplish- 

 coloured form not uncommon on the hills. July. 



Holcus, L. 



H. mollis, L. Soft Meadow-grass. Woods, Kiloran ; 

 local. Per., July. Not unsuitable for sowing in wooded or 



