156 FESTUCA OVINA. 



short rigid leaves, with rough sheaths, the upper one much longer than 

 its leaf, and having a brief bilobed ligule at the apex. Joints two or 

 three. Inflorescence simple-panicled. Panicle brief, compact, unilateral, 

 and erect. Spikelets of six florets, having brief awns. Calyx con- 

 sisting of two acute unequal-sized glumes, the upper one three-ribbed, 

 and the lower one destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two paleae, the 

 exterior one of basal floret five-ribbed, the interior one bifid, and 

 having two green marginal ribs. Length from three inches to two 

 feet. Eoot perennial and somewhat creeping. 



Of the variety hirsuta, which is common in rocky situations, the 

 glumes and florets are hairy. 



Vivipara. A singular mountain variety, having the inner palea 

 changed into a kind of leaf.* 



Angustifolia. Abundant in the Highlands; slender, long, and narrow 

 leaves. 



Ccesia. Glaucous and altogether larger. 



Duriuscula. Upper leaf flat, and larger in size. 



Filiformis. A way-side Grass; tall, slender, and drooping. 



A.renaria. Sandy situations near the sea; panicle and leaves short. 



Humilis. An alpine variety. Slender, panicle narrow. 



Rubra. The largest variety. Sandy sea-side situations. 



Situation seems to be the chief cause of the great variety of this 

 species. 



A valuable agricultural Grass, especially for sheep; early and pro- 

 ductive, though small in size. 



Comes into flower in the middle of June, and ripens its seed in the 

 middle of July. 



The specimen from which the illustration is taken, was gathered at 

 Langdale, Westmoreland, by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, and the variety 

 vivipara, which the engraving at page 154 represents, in Paterdale, 

 Cumberland, by the same gentleman. 



* See page 154 for a wood-cut illustration. 



