276 



HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



Fig. 209. 



rinum, Fig. 209), may be found growing on the top or 

 in the decomposing mortar of 

 most old walls. It is rather a 

 stout grass, the stems being 

 sometimes bent. It may be 

 known from the Meadow Barley 

 (Hordeum pratense, Fig. 211) by 

 its panicle being longer and 

 stronger. The bristles termi- 

 nating the chaff-scales (glumes) 

 are called ' awns/ and these in 

 the Wall Barley are of consider- 

 able length (see Fig. 210). The 

 meadow barley grows as tall as 

 the wall barley, but it is more 

 slender. The Sea-side Barley 

 (Hordeum maritimum, Fig. 213), 

 so called on account of its grow- 

 ing abundantly on the. sands 

 by the sea-shore, is a smaller 

 species than either of the two 

 already mentioned. It will also 

 be recognised by its glaucous 

 hue and its spreading awns, 

 which latter peculiarity gives 

 it a remarkably light and 



Wall Barley (Hordeum feathery appearance. The wall 

 barley may be found growing 



along the margins of our road-sides, in company 



vrith the meadow barley, when they frequently 



9 



