374 MISCELLANEOUS 



Close beside the margins of the alpine lakes and streams 

 may this soft fluffy-headed sedge be found. It has a tall 

 culm, two or three slender channelled leaves, and a single 

 terminal white or cream-coloured head composed of fine silky 

 bristles. 



SQUIRREL-TAIL GRASS 



Hordeum jubatujn. Grass Family 



Stems: culm erect, smooth, glabrous ; sheaths shorter than the inter- 

 nodes. Leaves : flat, erect, rough ; spike terminal, cylindrical ; spiktlets 

 usually in threes, the central one containing a palet and perfect flower, . 

 the lateral ones imperfect. 



The spikes of the Squirrel-tail Grass, with their warm, rich, 

 reddish hue, when seen in large quantities, present a beauti- 

 ful appearance as they swing and sway in the wind. 



"In the summer of the summer, when the hazy air is sweet 

 With the breath of crimson clover, and the day 's a-shine with heat. 

 When the sky is blue and burning and the clouds a downy mass. 

 When the breeze is idly dawdling, there is music in the grass — 



"Just a thistly, whistly sound 



In the tangl s near the ground ; 

 And the flitting fairies often stop to listen as they pass ; 



Just a lisping, whisp'ring tune, 



Like a bumblebee's bassoon. 

 In a far-away fantasia, is the music in the grass. 



"Wouldyou know what makes the music? On each slender, quivering blade 

 There are notes and chords and phrases by the bees and crickets played; 

 And the grasshoppers and locusts strive each other to surpass 

 In their brave interpretation of the music in the grass. 



" By the roguish breezes tost 



You might think it would get lost. 

 But the careful fairies guard it, watching closely as they pass. 



So on every summer day. 



Sounding faint and far away. 

 Is the mystic, murmurin?; marvel of the music in the grass." 



