1847.] On the Grasses. 237 



Wet meadows in Northern and Western States, and Europe. 

 We have specimens from Italy, labelled " Poa fertilis," which 

 agree very well with the plant as found here. According to 

 Michaux's Flora, Poa crocata was found near the rivers flowing 

 into Lake Mistassimiis, in British America ; and the plant as found 

 there, may yet prove distinct from P. serotina. Our specimens 

 from Prof. Short, of Kentucky, labelled "Poa crocata, Mich., 

 meadows of Ohio," are scarcely distinct from P. serotina. 



This is one of the most valuable grasses, especially for moist 

 meadows, the yield being abundant, and of an excellent quality. 

 During the present winter we have kept a flock of sheep alter- 

 nately with clover and hay, composed mostly of Poa serotina, 

 which was mowed when ripe, about the 5th of August. The 

 sheep are now in good condition, and eat the meadow grass with 

 a high relish. It is highly esteemed in Europe, ranking among 

 the best grasses for irrigated or wet meadows. We think it su- 

 perior to timothy for cattle or sheep, on account of its more ten- 

 der culms. 



Eragrostis, Beauv. S pikelets five, many fiowered, compressed, 

 paniculate; lower palea membranaceous; three nerved, upper palea 

 two keeled, keels ciliate, persistent; Caryopsis deciduous vyith the 

 lower palea. 



PoA Eragrostis, Linn. — Strong-scented Meadow Grass. 



Panicle spreading equal branches, slightly pitose in the axils; 

 spikelets ovate, oblong, fifteen to twenty flowered ; glumes sub- 

 equal, culm oblique, or decumbent geniculate, glabrous, branching 

 at the base, one to two feet long; leaves two to four lines wide, 

 attenuate, ligule short, bearded ; root annual. — Linn., sp. 1, p. 68; 

 Ell, sk. 1, p. 161; Torr., 1, p. 115; Darl. Fl. Cest., p. 79; Briza 

 Eragrostis Linn., sp. 1, p. 113; Pursh., 1, p. Si; Mich., 1, p. 

 72; Ell., sk. 1, p. 161; Megastachya eragrostis, Beauv. Agrost., 

 p. 74; Eragrostis Major Hist. Gram., 4, t. 34. Flowers August, 

 September. 



Emits a peculiar odor when first gathered. Introduced from 

 Southern Europe, and now found in nearly every section of the 

 United States; as far west as the Mississippi, and south as far as 

 Florida. Frequent on the sandy banks of streams, and sometimes 

 in the field and garden. It is a beautiful species, but of little use 

 to the farmer. 



PoA RioroA, Linn. 



Panicle secund, lanceolate, coarclate, rigid ; branches alternate, 

 spikelets five to fourteen flowered, linear, smooth, rigid; florets 

 loose, or a little remote; glumes keeled, serrulate, palea ovate, 



