-68 AIR A C^ SPIT OS A. 



The root is perennial and fibrous. Stem upright, circular, and rough, 

 and supporting four or five narrow, rough, coarsely-ribbed, acute 

 leaves with rough striated sheaths, the uppermost one extending con- 

 siderably beyond its leaf, and having a lengthy, membranous, acute 

 ligule at its apex. Joints smooth and very strong. 



Inflorescence compound pauicled, and exceedingly handsome. Panicle 

 when first expanded drooping, afterwards becoming upright, with the 

 branches spreading in all directions. Branches and rachis rough. The 

 spikelets are small and numerous, consisting of two or three horned 

 florets. The calyx consisting of two equal-sized acute glumes, the 

 upper one three-ribbed and the lower one destitute of lateral ribs. 

 Of the two paleae the exterior one of the lowest floret not equal in 

 length to the glumes, membranous, base hirsute, destitute of lateral 

 ribs, jagged on the summit; a slender awn starts from a little above 

 the base as far as the apex of the palea. The inner palea rather 

 shorter, linear, margin entire, and also membranous. Length from 

 two to five feet. 



Air a, alpina, differs, on account of the awn commencing in that 

 species slightly above the centre of the outer palea; whilst on the 

 other hand Aira flexuosa has the awn of the lower floret protruding 

 above one third its length beyond the glumes. 



There is a viviparous variety of Aira ccespitosa, known under the 

 name of variety vivipara, which has been found on the Clova Mountains. 

 It is an interesting ornamental variety, worthy of extensive cultivation, 

 as a border flower in gardens. Dr. Parnell describes two varieties, 

 namely, "longiaristata" and " brevifolia." The variety longiaristata 

 differs in having the awn of the outer palea extending one quarter of 

 its length beyond the apex of the palea, and in having the spikelets 

 of a rich chocolate colour. Found on the mountains in Perthshire 

 between three and four thousand feet above the sea level. The variety 

 brevifolia is distinguished by the very short radical leaves. It is found 

 growing near the summit of several of our highest Scotch mountains. 



This species usually flowers in the beginning of July, and ripens its 

 eed early in September. 



Door-mats and basses are made of the hay of Aira ccespitosa, and 

 for this the Grass is much in repute by rural cottagers. 



The illustration is from a plant growing on the edge of the lake 

 at Highfield House. 



