FLOWERS OF THE CORNFIELDS 



(Loliu 



tlentuiii, L.) 



The spikelets are dis- 

 posed in a 2 -ranked spike, 

 and in 2 rows, with 3 

 stamens, distant feathery 

 stigmas. The flowers are 

 3 to many, and anemo- 

 philous, pollinated by the 

 wind. 



The fruit is poisonous, 

 light, and adhering to the 

 palea, and is dispersed by 

 the wind. 



Darnel is a sand plant, 

 and addicted to a sand 

 soil. 



Lolium, Pliny, is the 

 Latin name for the plant, 

 and the second Latin 

 name, meaning "intoxi- 

 cating", refers to its re- 

 puted effects upon those 

 who eat it. 



Darnel is called 

 Bragge, Cheat, Cockle, 

 Darnel, Dornel, Dragge, 

 Drake, Drank, Dravick, 

 Droke, Drunk, Drunken 

 Plant, Eaver, Ivray, Jum, 

 Lover's Steps, Ray, Riely, 

 Rivery, Sturdy. The 

 name Riely is thus ex- 

 plained by a writer of the 

 early nineteenth century: 

 " Well known in most 

 counties in Ireland by the 

 name Rilch and Rivery, 

 for its intoxicating quality, 

 whether taken in bread 

 or drink. The Gaelic 

 name is Ruintelais, called 

 the loosening or purga- 



