in. 2, 4 . At the junction of sheath and blade, there is a 

 conspicuous membrane, called ligule, from the re- 

 semblance to a ligula or tongue. In ryegrasses, 

 fescues, and dogstail, the ligule is excessively short, 

 and, therefore, very inconspicuous ; whereas, in this 

 case, it is a thin white membrane, nearly as long as 

 broad, and with acute teeth at the apex. When the . 

 apical margin of the blade is drawn along the tongue, 

 it is immediately perceived to be rough from the apex 

 towards the base (downwards rough) ; on the base of 

 the blade, the roughness is in the opposite direction 

 (upwards rough). When the margin is examined with 

 a lens, this roughness is found to be due to the 

 presence of minute tooth-like processes ; those directed 

 upwards cause downward roughness, those pointing 

 in. 5- downwards, upward roughness. The upper surface of 

 the blade has very low ribs, usually flat, but, at times, 

 somewhat rounded. There is little or no keel on the 

 lower surface. 

 Summary : 



a. Blade light-coloured, and ascending, often 



glaucous. 



b. Ligule a thin white membrane, longer than 



broad, with acute teeth. 



c. Basal margin upwards rough. 



d. Ribs very low ; keel practically absent. 



False Oat Grass. 



This is much more common in fields and on road- 

 sides than in pastures, indeed, it can hardly occur 

 in old pasture, as it dies out by the third or fourth 



