74 



Blades not extremely hard, but firm. Sheath character- 

 istically coloured. The ligule is extremely short, 

 and the lower surface of the blade very strongly 

 shining. Lolhim, Cynosurus, Festuca elatior. 

 Sheath flat and blade folded. 



Lolium perenne, L. (Perennial ryegrass). Sheath 

 red at base, and entire. Base of blade often 

 eared. Sheath entire. 

 Fig. 6. Apex of blade. 



Fig. 7. Eared base of blade, extremely short ligule. 

 Fig. 8. Transverse section of folded blade shewing 



the ribs (magnified). After Lund. 

 Fig. 9. Transverse section of mature blades shewing 

 prominent ribs and keel (mag. ). Observe 

 that the mid -rib is not flat. After Stebler. 

 Cynosurus cristatus, L. (Crested dogstail). Sheath 

 yellow at base (I. 2.), and split. Blade always 

 'earless, and ligule eared (the ears to be observed 

 by the lens). The blade thicker and firmer 

 between the fingers of perennial ryegrass. 

 Fig. 10. Apex of blade. 

 Fig. ii. Earless base of blade, and extremely short 



eared ligule. 



Fig. 12. Section of the folded blade (magnified). 

 After Lund. Sometimes the blade is 

 slightly rolled, then the sheath is approxi- 

 mately round. (See Stebler's " Best 

 Forage Plants.") 



Sheath round, red at base, and blade rolled. 

 Lolium Italicum, Braun. (Italian ryegrass). Basal 

 margin of blade smooth. The veins (under the 

 lens) are indistinct by transmitted light. Blade 

 usually eared ; sheath entire. 

 Fig. 13. Apex of blade. 



Lolium temulentum, L. (Common darnel). Annual. 

 Blades very similar to the preceding. 



Festuca elatior, L. (Meadow and late fescues). 

 Basal margin of blade rough. The veins (under 

 the lens) appear zspure wJiite lines by transmitted 

 light. Blade eared ; sheath split. 

 Fig. 14. Apex of blade. 

 Fig. 15. Transverse section of rolled blade shewing 



the ribs (magnified). After Stebler. 

 Fig. 16. Transverse section of mature blade (mag. ). 

 Observe theyfotf mid-rib. After Stebler. 



