21 



year. Pull some shoots for examination from the 

 grass on the roadside. 



The blades have usually a dark green colour, and, 

 being thin, have a tendency to hang down ; those of 

 Timothy are much thicker, and are, therefore, capable 

 of maintaining an erect or oblique position. 



The ligule is conspicuous, and has all the characters in. 7, 9. 

 noticed in the case of Timothy. The difference con- 

 sists in the presence of fine hair on the back ; to see 

 the hair to advantage, a lens must be used. There is 

 no upward roughness on the margin of the blade. 



On the upper surface of the blade, the ribs are very in. 10. 

 low, and always very flat. On the lower surface, the 

 mid rib projects and forms the keel, which is prolonged 

 downwards as the keel on the sheath. In Timothy, the 

 keel is very slight on the blade, and absent on the 

 sheath. 



Hair is usually present, more especially on the upper 

 surface of the blade ; often it is so fine and short that 

 it readily escapes notice, if one simply looks down 

 upon the surface. To see the short hair to advantage, 

 bend the blade round the finger, and look along the 

 surface. 



Summary : 



a. Blades usually dark green, very thin, dry, and 



hanging. 



b. Ligule conspicuous, and hairy on the back. 



c. No part of the margin upwards rough. 



d. Blade and sheath keeled ; upper surface with 



low flat ribs. 



e. Short hair often present on upper surface of 



blade, and on other parts as well. 



