80 MOLINIA C^ERULEA. 



and compact; branches slender, rough, and situated on the rachis in 

 bunches at certain intervals. Spikelets numerous, small, chiefly com- 

 posed of two, yet sometimes of three, awnless florets, purplish in colour, 

 and considerably longer than the glumes. Calyx smooth, of two unequal, 

 acute glumes. Florets of two equal-sized palese, exterior one of basal 

 floret smooth, three-ribbed, and acute ; inner one having two bold 

 marginal ribs of a green colour. Root consisting of a multitude of 

 strong fibres, perennial. Length from one to two feet and a half. 



Flowers towards the end of July, and ripens its seed at the close 

 of August. 



There is a variety known as Molinia depauperata, which Lindley and 

 Parnell gives as a distinct species, and known as the Tawny Melic 

 Grass. It differs in being usually less in size, and having the leaves 

 of the stem extending beyond the panicle, in the calyx having only 

 one floret, the outer palea being five-ribbed. It was discovered on 

 the Clova Mountains, (three thousand feet above the sea,) by Mr. 

 Donald Munro. There is another variety more dwarf and compact, 

 known as M. ccerulea, var. breviramosa, distinguished by its dwarf 

 habit and dark purple inflorescence a common Grass on moors. 



The specimen for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Joseph Side- 

 botham, of Manchester. 



