320 GEAMINACE2E. 



two the Sweet-grasses and the Meadow-grasses, the former 

 having the palese simple, the latter having them keeled. 



We have the Beedy Sweet-grass (Glyceria aquatica), which 

 Edward found on the margin of the Avon, near Leamington, 

 and also in a pond opposite the Hall House, Hawkhurst. It 

 is a tall Grass, with stiff sword-shaped leaves, and an erect 

 panicle of small spikelets. The florets are all blunt. 



The Floating Sweet-grass (G. fluitans), is to be found every- 

 where on the margin of ponds. Its panicle is oblong and 

 branched, and its lance-shaped spikelets are close-pressed, 

 and contain numerous florets, the palese of which are seven- 

 ribbed. 



Fanny has the Reflexed Sweet-grass (G. distans), and also the 

 Hard Sweet-grass. The former grew on salt-marshy ground 

 beside the Looe River. It is partly recumbent, and its panicles 

 are stiff. It grows about twelve inches in length, and thus 

 varies exceedingly from the above-mentioned members of its 

 family, the Reedy Sweet-grass attaining the height of four feet, 

 and the Floating of three feet. 



The Hard Sweet-grass (G. rigida), is a very small plant, 

 inhabiting the tops of walls and sandy places. Its stems are 

 wiry, and its panicle is formed of close-pressed spikelets, all of 

 which lean to one side. This specimen is from the Looe Cliffs. 



There are a Procumbent Sweet-grass (G. prociimbens), with 

 a stiff panicle, which inhabits seashores ; and a Sea Sweet- 

 grass (G. maritima), the panicle of which is erect and branched, 

 and very close ; but we have not got specimens of them. 



The true Meadow-grasses come next. Their botanical name, 

 Poa, is the Greek word for Grass of any kind. The plants of 

 this family have a pair of glumes to each spikelet of many 

 florets, and the palese are membranous at the point. 



The Hough Meadow-grass and the Smooth-stalked Meadow- 

 grass (Poa trivialis, and P. pratensis), are exceedingly useful 

 for meadow crops. They grow eighteen inches high, with 

 full-branched panicles of small spikelets, very often tinged 



