55 



Group VII. Bitter-tasted Grasses (con- 

 taining Cumarin). 



Anthoxanthum odoratum, L. (Sweet vernal). 

 Fig. i. A small blade shewing the shape. 

 Fig. 2. Base of blade with small round ears and beard 



of hair. 



Fig. 3. The same, but ears absent. 

 Fig. 4 and 5. The ligule spread out (magnified). After 



Lund. 



Milium effusum, L. (Wood millet). Blade taper based, 



very thin, with a prominent keel ; practically ribless ; 



basal margin upwards rough. This grass has a 



tendency to hairiness. 



Fig. 6. Tapered base of blade, and quadrate ligule. 



After Lund. 



Hierochloa borealis, R. & S. (Northern holy grass). 

 Very rare. Sheath and blade netted ; the netting 

 is very conspicuous in withered blades. 



Group VIII. Bristle-bladed Grasses. 



Cord rooted. Bristle very hard and stiff. 



Nardus stricta, L. (Moor mat grass). Base of blade thick 

 and cartilaginous; ligule prominent and thick; young 

 blades erect ; old, spread out horizontally. 

 Fig. i. Base of shoot. Observe the cord roots, pro- 

 tective scales, old horizontal blade, young 

 erect blade, and ligule. 



Ligule inconspicuous. Festuca ovina and its allies. 

 Festuca ovina, L. (Sheep's fescue), and its varieties. 

 Fig. 2. Portion of bristle-like blade. 

 Fig. 3. Base of culm leaf shewing the ear-like igule 



(magnified). After Stebler. 



Fig. 4. Base of radical leaf, shewing the cartilaginous 

 thickening at junction of sheath and blade ; 

 no ligule is seen (magnified). 

 Fig. 5 and 6. Transverse section of shoot (magnified). 



After Stebler and Lund. 

 Fig. 7. Portion of an open ribbed blade (magnified). 



After Lund. 



Festuca sciuroides, Koth. (Barren fescue). This is an 

 annual species. The blade has prominent acute ribs 

 clothed with prominent hair. The ears of the ligule 

 are more conspicuous in this species. 



