THK RUSHES, GRASSES, AND FERNS. 



279 



ticularly to sheep. Birds, and especially pigeons, 

 are fond of the seeds, and feed on them when more 

 delicate morsels are not in their way. The general 



Fig. 21-2. 



Fig. 213. 



Sea-side Barley (//orrfeum 

 maritimum). 



filnmes and Awns of Sea-side 

 Barley (//. maritimum). 



resemblance of the flower panicle to the tail of a 

 dog, and its pretty purplish-grey colour, will assist 

 the student in recognising it. Geologically speaking, 

 grasses possess an extraordinary interest, in that 

 they appear to be the oldest of the flower-bearing 



