MEADOW COMB GRASS QUAKING GRASS 183 



MEADOW COMB GrHASS."(Eragrostis pectinacea.) 



Panicles widely diffuse; spikelets flat, five to fifteen flowered, purple; 

 glumes and flowers acute ; lower pale three nerved ; leaves rigid, long 

 and hairy. Perennial. Flint. 



This is also a species of the same with last two, and, like 

 the others, forms a large constituent of the barren and 

 mountain grasses. When dry it is the sport of the winds. 



The importance of these great natural pastures has never 

 hitherto been appreciated in Tennessee, but it has been the 

 constant effort of this bureau to call the attention of stock- 

 raisers, and especially sheep husbandmen, to the importance 

 of these highway pastures for the economical rearing of 

 sheep. 



QUAKING GRASS.--( J?ma Media and Maxima.) 



Glumes roundish, unequal, of a purplish 

 color ; spikelets many-flowered, heart- 

 shaped; lower pale roundish, entire, upper 

 pale smaller, egg-shaped, flat; leaves flat; 

 stamens three. Flint* 



As seen in the name, there are 

 two sizes of this grass, one larger 

 than the other. It grows wild in 

 the mountanious parts of the State, 

 but is chiefly seen in gardens, 

 where it is cultivated for its beau- 

 ty, making, with its heart-shaped 

 spikelets,a fine addition to bouquets, 

 for winter vases. The slight- 

 est movement causes it to shake, 

 making a noise like the rattles of 

 a rattlesnake. TheBriza Media IB 

 perennial, but the Briza Maxima 

 is an annual. Cattle eat it with 

 relish, but it is a poor pasture 

 grass, and is only suited to very 

 sterile soils. Mr. Sinclair ascer- 



