44 STIPA PENNATA. 



Stem upright, circular, smooth, carrying four or five long, splendid, 

 hirsute, rigid, and setaceous leaves, with rather rough sheaths, the 

 uppermost one being longer than its leaf. Joints three or four in 

 number, hid by the sheaths. Ligule of uppermost sheath hirsute, long 

 and pointed. Inflorescence racemed, rising out of the highest sheath. 

 Spikelets consisting of two nearly equal-sized, long, slender, hirsute 

 glumes ; and one floret of only half the length of the glumes, consisting 

 of two paleas, the exterior one sharp-pointed at the base, hirsute, five- 

 ribbed, and ending in a considerable feather-like awn. The awn 

 commences at the apex of the exterior palea, and usually twenty times 

 its length; with the exception of that portion immediately about the 

 base, it is feathery to the apex. Styles prominent, two. Stigmas 

 feathery. Filaments capillary, three in number. Anthers notched at 

 either extremity. Scales acute. Length about two feet. Root perennial 

 and fibrous. 



This species does not flower till August, and its seeds become ripe 

 about the middle of September. 



When gathered to decorate a room, this should be done at the 

 commencement of September, before the seeds are ripe. 



The illustration is from a specimen gathered near Hebden Bridge, 

 Yorkshire, by the late S. Gibson, and forwarded by Mr. Joseph 

 Sidebotham, of Manchester. 



