78 I 1 ' Alt A! Jili'fi BOOK OF GltAHSKM 



with grain or in bread made from flour contaminated with it. 

 Hence -the wisdom in selecting this weed in constructing the 

 parable in Matthew XIII, 25 36 ; it being the darnel or tares 

 there mentioned and almost the only cereal possessing, when 

 sound, injurious properties. It may be distinguised from other 

 species by the very long glumes equalling the spikelets in 

 length. k ^i < 



It is the Zizania of the parable, transferred into the Latin 

 Vulgate, the Italian, Spanish and some other verso ns ; transla- 

 ted Ivraie in the French and Darnel in most English versions, 

 but unfortunately 'tares' in King James' version. The tare, 

 vetch, or any other bean could, as soon as sprouted, be recog- 

 nized as not at all like wheat. But this plant, even in the 

 spike, resembles wheat, and hence the force of the parable. It 

 is probably the infelix loiium of Virgil. 



6. L. MULTIFLORUM, Many flowered Darnel is very hand- 

 some and showy, but not much cultivated or esteemed any 

 where. 



AIEA . 



1. A. FLEXTJOSA, Wood Hair Grass. 



This perennial plant grows one or two feet high on rocky 

 hills and mountains and sandy soils, but not on clays. Cattle 

 and sheep eat it, but it produces very little nourishment to the 

 acre. It is really not worth cultivating for feed, but affords a 

 pretty addition to bouquets. 



2. A. CJESPITOSA, Tufted Hair Grass. 



Grows in clumps or tufts in tough marshy lands, preferably 

 where water stands much of the time, but is occasionally found 

 in pastures or meadows. It is worthless. 



The other species are not found in the southern States. 



DANTHONIA. 



1. D. SPICATA, Wild Oat Grass, Old Fog, White Top. 



This is a native perennial growing on dry, barren soils with 

 a slender stem ten to eighteen inches high bearing a few spike- 

 lets. 



2. D. SERICEA, Taller Wild Oat Grass, also a native, grows 

 on dry or moist sandy soils, with stem two feet high bearing 

 many spikelets. These are grasses of little value. 



TKISETUM. 



1. T. PALUSTRE, Marsh Oat Grass. 



This is found in swamps, and has a feeble stem one or two 

 feet high with a long narrow panicle. 



