HORTUS GHAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 225 



AGROSTIS stolonifera (var. 1. latifolia). Larger-leaved Creep- 

 ing Bent, Fiorin. 



Specific character : Panicle loose at the time of flowering, con- 

 tracted afterwards ; florets large, numerous ; calyx-husks 

 acuminate, outer serrulated from the keel upwards, inner only 

 slightly towards the top. 



Obs. This variety of creeping bent-grass being confined to the 

 richest natural pastures, at least as far as my observations 

 have extended, I have introduced it in this place ; the speci- 

 mens and details of experiments made on the other varieties 

 which are now to be mentioned, will be found in another part 

 of this work. 



Var. 2. Smaller-leaved creeping bent (see Agrostis stolonifera, 

 var. angustifolia) is distinguished from the above by its panicle, 

 which is densely crowded with florets, smaller, and of a whitish 

 colour, which distinguishes it at first sight from the large spreading 

 dingy purple panicle of the above ; the leaves of which also are 

 longer and broader, pointing more direct from the stem, and the 

 joints more distant, and distinguished from those of every other 

 variety of florin by the dull purple or brownish colour, which seems 

 to unite them with the stem : in the angustifolia the colour is white 

 or grey. This second variety I believe to be the Agrostis stolonifera 

 of the English Botany, 1532. Var. 3. Awned creeping bent- 

 grass, (see Agrostis stolonifera, var. aristatd), is distinguished from 

 the first variety by its larger valve of the blossom having an awn 

 twice its length, while the same valve in the true florin (var. 1.), 

 has only the rudiment of an awn fixed below the apex, and which 

 can be distinctly seen only by the aid of a glass; the panicle is 

 also smaller; the colour of that part of the stem nearest to 

 the joint is reddish ; the joints much less swoln. Var. 4. Wood 

 creeping bent-grass (see Agrostis stolonifera, var. nemoralis) is more 

 like the first variety than any of the others ; but the panicle is more 

 wide-spreading, the branches rougher, the florets more pointed, 

 smoother, the leaves narrower, and lying more flat on the ground ; 

 the creeping stems or runners are more slender, and lie quite flat 

 on the ground, joints smaller and nearly colourless. The marsh 

 creeping bent-grass may be justly considered var. 5. (see Agrostis 

 palustris) ; it approaches nearest to var. 2. (angustifolia), but 

 the panicle is spear-shaped, loose when in flower, and contracted 

 so much when in seed as to resemble a spike, and is of a whitish- 



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