110 TRIANDRIA— DIGYNIA. HIerochloe. 



at the margins. Ned. a membranous scale, various in 

 shape. Filam. capillary, 2 in the perfect floret ; 3 in each 

 barren one. AntJi. linear, prominent, pendulous. Gervi. 

 ovate, small. Styles short, close together, distinct. Sfig. 

 mas longer than the corolla, linear, feathery. Seed ovate, 

 pointed, small, loose, the corolla remaining unchanged. 



A vei'y natural genus of grasses, as Mr. Brown observes, 

 " natives of the colder regions of both hemispheres." All 

 the known species are remarkable for a fragrant scent 

 when drying, resembling that of Anthoxanthum, but su- 

 perior in degree, which is esteemed in Sweden to have a 

 narcotic effect. Mr. Brown, with his usual acuteness, 

 traces a further affinity to our Vernal-grass, in the 2 sta- 

 mens of the perfect j?o;e^ of Hierochloe, and in the rudi- 

 ments of 2 lateral neuter j^orrfs in Anthoxanthum. Such 

 he considers what the writer of this, and all preceding 

 botanists, have taken for the awned valves of the corolla^ 

 our nectary being the supposed corolla of his central, and 

 only perfect, jloret. I have the greatest deference even 

 for the theoretical speculations of my ingenious and can- 

 did friend; but this, considering the structure of the parts, 

 and the analogy of ether grasses, appears too paradoxical. 

 It is, however, like all that comes from him, worthy of 

 consideration; and may possibly be confirmed by a deeper 

 insight into the real nature of the parts of fructification in 

 this very peculiar natural order, in which, above all others 

 perhaps, an indetermination of structure is remarkable. 



The generic distinction between this genus and Holcus is 

 confirmed by the loose seed and unhardened coi'olla^ which 

 characters did not escape the learned Schrader. All the 

 species seem to be perennial, beai'ing either flat or invo- 

 lute, smooth leaves, and panicled, yellowish Jlowers, with 

 a silvery gloss. They turn brown by age or drying, but 

 retain their polish. 



1. H. horeaUs. Northern Holy-grass. 



Panicle somewhat unilateral, with smooth flower-stalks. 

 Perfect floret awnless ; barren ones slightly awned. Nec- 

 tary in two deep, unequal, linear segments. Leaves flat. 



H. borealis. Ram. S? Schultes Stjst. Veg. v. 2. 5 13. Hook. Scot. 28. 

 H.n.33. Gmel.Sib.vA. 101. 

 Holcus borealis. Schrad. Germ. v. I. 252. 



H. odoratus. Linn. Fl. Suec. 363. Willd. Berol 48. TVahlenb. 

 Lapp. 31. Fl. Dan. t.963. Sincl. 47. 



