322 GRAMINACE-E. 



Of tlie Cock's-foot-grass family (Dactylis glomerata, Plate 

 XVIIL, fig. 7), we have only one British species. It is 

 characterised by two sharp-pointed glumes, which are keeled- 

 and enclose from three to six florets. The panicle is dis- 

 tantly branched, the lowest branch being long, and stand- 

 ing at right angles with the stem, like the claw on a cock's 

 foot. This is a valuable G-rass, because it endures drought 

 so well, and on this account it is such a favourite in Nor- 

 folk. Although a coarse Grass, it is much liked by cattle, and 

 it becomes finer by cultivation. It grows from two to three 

 feet high. 



The Cord-grass (Spartina stricta, j%. 8), is the only member 

 of its family. It has two lance-shaped glumes, and two un- 

 equal paleae ; there is only one floret between each pair of 

 glumes. The flowers are arranged in spikes, two or three 

 spikes together. The leaves are rolled-in, ribbed, and pointed. 

 It is an inhabitant of muddy salt marshes. 



The Dog's-tail-grasses are two in number. They have both 

 glumes and palese awned, and the florets are put on to the 

 spike in pairs. 



The Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus,j^^. 12), has the 

 spike straight, and all the florets turned to the front, so that 

 the back of the stem is left naked. It is a valuable pasture 

 Grass. 



The Rough Dog's-tail (C. echinatus), has a compound spike, 

 and the awns on the paleae are as long as the glumes. It 

 grows the most freely in Jersey. 



The family of the Fescue-grass numbers several members. 

 The Sheep's Fescue (Festiica ovina), is a slender G-rass, with 

 a quantity of fine narrow foliage. Sheep are very fond of it, 

 and it is said that they never enjoy hills where it is not found. 

 Its stem is square, and the panicle is rather close, and leans 

 to one side. 



The Hard Fescue (F. duriiiscula), has also a one-sided 

 panicle, but it is larger and more spread. The florets are 



