2 9 



The ligule is also unique. At a first glance, it might x. i 3 . 

 be supposed absent ; closer inspection might lead one 

 to imagine that it was reduced to a tuft of very short 

 hair ; accurate observation, however, shows that it is, 

 in reality, a remarkably short membrane with an apical 

 fringe of fine, short, hair-like teeth. 



Summary : 



a. Hair often sparse, and ribs faint. 



b. Base of blade with acute ears. 



c. Ligule unique, remarkably short, with a fringe 



of hair-like teeth. 



Group XL (See Part II.) 



Group XII. Ribless-bladed Grasses 

 with Median Lines. 



These, like perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot, are xn. 4, 5. 

 fiat sheathed. The blades are at once distinguished 

 from those of other grasses by the absence of ribbing 

 (except the mid-rib), and from ribless forms like 

 cocksfoot, by the median lines. 



SMOOTH-STALKED MEADOW GRASS. 



Search ^mong uneaten clumps of grass, for firm^ xii. i, 2 . 

 hairless ', and ribless blades, wit/i a pair of parallel lines 

 along the middle of the blade. Pull a few shoots, and 

 examine. 



The edges of the blade are parallel ; at the very 

 apex they come together as a round point. 



