IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 127 



to 17 feet high. Root perennial, or perhaps of only two or 

 three years' duration. This grass deserves to be brought to 

 any forest tracts, as it prospers in shade ; along rivulets in 

 deep soil it assumes its grandest forms ; wants a cool clime. 

 The large panicle affords nutritious forage. 



Festuca elatior, Linne*.* 



The Meadow Fescue. Europe, North Africa, North and 

 Middle Asia. A perennial grass, attaining a height of 

 several feet. There are several varieties of this species. 

 The tallest follows rivers readily as far down as the tides 

 reach. The ordinary form is well adapted for permanent 

 pastures, has tender leaves, produces excellent hay, and is 

 early out in the season. It can be mixed advantageously 

 with F. ovina. It is superior to Rye Grass in produce and 

 improves with a^e. F. arundinacea, Schreb., F. pratensis, 

 Huds., and F. loliacea, Huds., are varieties of this species. 



Festuca flaya, F. v. Mueller. (Poa flava, Gronov. ; Tricuspis 

 sesleriodes, Torr. ; Umlepis cuprea, Kunth.) 



The tall Red-top Grass of the Eastern States of North 

 America. A perennial sand-grass, with wide panicles. 



Festuca gigantea, Villars. 



Europe and Middle Asia. A perennial good forest-grass. 



Festuca heterophylla, Lamarck. 



Mountains of Europe. This perennial grass attains a height 

 of 5 feet ; it produces a proportionately great bulk of fodder, 

 and serves as an admixture to grasses of hay or pasture lands, 

 particularly the former (Lawson). It is best fitted for Alpine 

 forest tracts. 



Festuca Hookeriana, F. v Mueller.* 



Alps of Australia and Tasmania. A tall perennial grass, 

 evidently nutritious, required to be tried for culture as pasture, 

 and perhaps destined to become a meadow grass of colder 

 countries. It does not readily produce seeds. Stands mowing 

 and depasturing well ; much liked by cattle, horses, and sheep 

 (Th. Walton). 



Festuca litoralis, Labillardiere. 



Extra-tropical Australia and New Zealand. An important 

 grass for binding drift sand on sea-shores. 



