70 TRIANDRIA DIGYNIA. [CL. III. 



remarked. Wheat, barley, oats, and rye, belong to this great family, but 

 are all of exotic origin. Almost all the species are eaten by cattle, 

 especially when young and tender, although they usually refuse the 

 straws after flowering. Lolium temulentum is the only species that 

 possesses poisonous properties. Young botanists generally dislike the ex- 

 amination of these plants, on account of its supposed difficulty ; but with 

 a little attention, the species can in almost every case be satisfactorily 

 determined.] 



13. PHA'LARIS. CANARY-GRASS. 



Calyx one-flowered, of two nearly equal, keeled, compressed, 

 acute chaff-scales. Corolla double, concealed by the calyx, of 

 three or four husks, the two inner larger, downy. Nectaries two 

 equal, egg-shaped scales. Filaments thread-like ; anthers oblong. 

 Styles short, with feathery stigmas. Seed egg-shaped, invested by 

 the hardened internal husks Named from p/ialos, shining. 29. 



1. P. canariensis. Canary Grass. Panicle egg-shaped, close ; chaff- 

 scales keeled, hairy ; outer corolla of two bare husks. About eighteen 



inches high : straw erect, striated, roughish : leaves lance-shaped, soft : 

 panicle erect, compound, resembling an egg-shaped spike, beautifully va- 

 riegated with green and white : this is a foreign species, the seeds of 

 which accidentally dropped, sometimes spring up in waste places and 

 upon dunghills. Annual : flowers in July : frequent. Eng. Bat. vol. 

 xix. pi. 1310. Eng. Fl. vol. i. p. 75. 



2. P. antndindcea. Reed Canary Grass. Panicle erect, loose ; outer 



husks bearded. Roots creeping, sending out large fibres : straws 



from three to five feet high : leaves lance-shaped, striated, smooth : 

 panicle about six inches long, tinged with purple : chaff-scales acute, 

 keeled with a nerve on each side, rough on the keel and nerves : outer 

 husks minute, each terminated by a tuft of hairs. Perennial : flowers in 

 July : grows by the edges of rivers : common. This plant has altogether 

 the appearance of an Arundo ; a variety with striped leaves, is common 

 in gardens. Eng. Bat. vol. vi. pi. 402. and vol. xxx. pi. 2160. f. 2. 

 Eng. FL vol. i. p. 75. 99. 



14. PHLE'UM. CAT'S-TAIL-CRASS. 



Calyx one-flowered, of two nearly equal, compressed, pointed 

 or awned chaff-scales. Corolla of two concealed, unequal husks, 

 the outer embracing the inner. Filaments hair-like ; anthers 

 linear, protruded. Gennen roundish. Styles thread-like, spread- 

 ing ; stigmas feathery. Seed oblong, loose. Name phleos of the 

 Greeks. 30. 



1. P. prattnse. Common Cat's-tail-grass. Timothy Grass. Panicle 

 spiked, cylindrical ; chaff-scales abrupt, fringed on the keel, longer than 



the awn. Root fibrous: straws from two to three feet high, knotty, 



erect: leaves linear, flat, rough, with long sheaths : panicle erect, very 

 close, spiked, of a cylindrical form, from two to four inches long, green : 

 the roots are sometimes bulbous. Perennial : flowers in the summer 

 months: grows in meadows and pastures : common. Eng. Bot. vol. xv. 

 pi. 1078. Eng. Fl. vol. i. p. 76. 100. 



2. P. alpiniim. Alpine Cat's-tail-grass. Panicle spiked, between 

 egg-shaped and oblong ; chaff-scales abrupt, fringed on the keel, as long 



