II. I.ANATUS L., MEADOW SOFT GRASS. 198 



Tipper mjilo. Empty glumes i)ersi8tent below the joint, keeled, 

 the lower l-nervod, iicuto or iicnniiuiito, the second broiider, 

 3-nervpd, uuiito or siwned. Floral glunie;? shorter tliiin the 

 empty ones, meinbniiious, the lower jiwnless, at length ilrm, 

 including a jx^rfoct llowor, the upper quite similar, but including 

 II staminate or neutral flower, and bearing on its l)ack a sleiuler 

 curved awii. Palea narrow, 2-keeled. Lodicuiles obliqne, acumi- 

 nate. Stamens;?. Styles distinct, stigmas feathery. Caryopsis 

 oblong, included by the firm glume, free. Soft annuals or 

 perennials. Leaves flat or rarely convolute. 

 Species H, belonging to Euroi)e or Africa. 



H. laiiatiis, L., Meadow Soft Orass, Velret Grass, York- 

 shire Fo!?, Salem Grass, White Timothy, Velvet Mes- 

 quit Grass. — A soft perennial, culms C-24 in., ascending, leafy. 

 Leaves flat, upper sheaths inflated; ligulo short. Panicle 2-ii 

 in., whitish green, often ])inlvis]i; branches 2-3-nate. Spikelets 

 J in., elliptic-oblong; emjity glumes acute, nerves strong. 

 [Specific character after ^looker.] 



Velvet grass is mentioned liere because it is so soft, velvety, 

 conspicuous and haiulsome, that every one at once becomes inter- 

 ested in knowing the name and value, but it is still (piestionable 

 ■whether it is worthv of cultivation anvwhere. 



Holcus lanatus is very productive of seed, and somewhat 

 resembles orchard grass. The whole plant has a grayish aspect 

 of i)ale white color often tinged with red. It is very common in 

 England, and has been introduced with other seeds into various 

 parts of this country. During summer on the moist old pastures 

 of Xew England, we have often seen bunches untouched and 

 going to seed, while June grass, red top and white clover were 

 kept closely cropped. 



Mr. Lawessays: "This grass is not liked by cattle either 



FiQ. 86.— /foJciw /ana(M« (Velvet Grass) ; a, A plant; 7», spikelet; e, back of upper 

 empty glume ; d, two floreta, without empty glumes.— (Scribiier.) 



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