58 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO [CH. 



forms a small proportion of the crop. One of the earliest 

 grasses, and the principal one, which gives the scent to 

 new-mown hay : a perfume has been extracted from it. 

 Its value as fodder is probably overrated. Bitter tasted. 

 Leaves more or less hairy at margins, especially at throat of 

 sheath, flat, and slightly ridged. Sheath furrowed, often 

 pubescent. Ligule long and blunt, with ciliate margins. 

 Sweet scented when dried. The most shallow rooted of 

 all meadow-grasses. Leaves often short and few. 



Arithoxanthum is sometimes confused with Arrhenatherum (see 

 p. 56) and Molinia ; the latter differs in its ligule — a tuft of hair — 

 its stringy roots, tapering leaf-base, less ob\ious ridges, and smooth 

 sheaths, kc. 



Anthoxanthum is deep green and often very luxurious in rich wet 

 soils — e.g. in Devonshire. 



{c) Ears as mere collar-like ledges where the blade joins 

 the sheath. Sheath usually pubescent or hispid with 

 reflexed hairs. Kidges inconspicuous. Ligule very 

 short. 



* Perennial, with firmer leaves. 



Hordeum sylvaticum, Huds. (Wood Barley). Leaves 

 flat, thin but firm, rather broad, scaberulous. Sheath 

 hispid, with reflexed hairs. Blade not tapering below. 

 Translucent spaces between the veins as broad as the 

 latter. Ligule *short and blunt. Shady places. Useless. 



Hoi'deum pratense, Huds. (Meadow Barley). Tufted, or 

 bulbous below. Leaves narrower, flat, tending to roll up, 

 scabrid above and hairy beneath. Sheath narrow, hairy. 

 Moist meadows, and of some use as pasture in the young 

 state. 



