318 GEA.MINACEJE. 



The Grey Hair-grass (A. canescens), was sent to me from 

 Ventnor, where it grows on the seashore ; its panicle is much 

 more dense than those of its brethren, and it is less attractive 

 in consequence. 



Edward has the Early Hair-grass (A. prsecox), from Hawk- 

 hurst. It is a very neat little plant, growing one or two inches 

 high, and flowering in May ; its panicle has very few florets. 



The Soft-grasses do not form first-rate pasturage, as all their 

 foliage is more or less hairy. Like several of the families 

 recently mentioned, that of the Soft-grass has two or three 

 florets enclosed between each pair of glumes. The palese form 

 the coat of the seed, and are awned. The glumes are keeled. 

 Species of Soft-grass inhabiting India, Arabia, and the Cape, 

 are used as Millet, and called by the same name, as well as the 

 Panicks. 



The Meadow Soft-grass (Holcus lanatus), is very woolly. 

 The lower floret is perfect, and without an awn ; the upper is 

 awned. It grows freely in meadows and pastures, and its dense 

 panicle of downy florets, slightly tinged with pink, are very 

 familiar. 



The Creeping Soft-grass (H. mollis), flowers a fortnight 

 earlier than the Meadow species, coming into bloom in the 

 middle of June. It has fewer flowers in its panicle, and the 

 upper floret has a very prominent awn. These two have a 

 great resemblance to one another, I have gathered both 

 frequently in Swaledale, and Edward has them from Hawk- 

 hurst. 



The Oat-like Soft-grass (H. avenaceus), is quite as common 

 as the others, and no member of the tribe can exceed it in 

 beauty. It bears no outward resemblance to the other two 

 Soft-grasses, which do not much exceed a foot in height. The 

 Oat-like species grows in hedges and waste places, and some- 

 times among corn. I have often seen it five or six feet in 

 height. Its leaves are broad, deep green, and rough. Its 

 panicle is spread and tapering ; the florets large, with unequal 



