21^ 



i 



This grass is not comixion ; it is found in a wild state near Sandwich, and in tlie Isle of J 

 sey, on a sandy soil. It is also a native of Germany, growing in pastures, corn-fields, and 

 sands by the sea-side. Like the preceding grass, this one is evidently of more use in she^yino. 

 the diversity of form that gives specific characters to the individuals composing a genera th 

 to any agricultural purpose to which it can he made subservient; as the above results of exno-" 

 ments made upon it, put every idea of that nature out of the question. 



It is a common observation, that different plants affect peculiar soils; or it may, perhaps h 

 saidj that every different soil produces plants peculiar to itself. When soils are first for 



e 



med 



from the decomposition of rocks, mosses are generally the first vegetables they produce- afte- 



■ 



wards grasses. Nature appears ever unremitting in her efforts to cover every description f 

 soil with grass. And the varieties of soils, whether caused by a difference of internal conmos' 

 tion, or of local situation, from the Alps to the low-lying marsh, are very numerous; and tli 

 number of species and varieties of grass adapted to clothe them, proportionally great. Tlier 

 are some species of grass that attain but to one or two inches in height, others many feet 

 according as the soil has richness sufficient for their maintenance and production. These dimi- 

 nutive, and, to the Agriculturist, seeming useless plants, by the yearly death and decay of their 

 leaves and culms, or of the plant itself, if an annual, and by attracting animals to the spot, pre- 

 pare the soil for the future production of superior grasses. Though a grass therefore may he 

 comparatively, of no value for the immediate uses of the Farmer, nevertheless, it is not, surely 

 unworthy of his regard ; for independent of the pleasure which a consideration of its peculiar 

 structure, design, uses, and connection with others of known value must excite, a knowledo-e of 

 the plant, will also direct whether to encourage or prevent its growth in^such situations where 



Few grasses will thrive or continue in any soil but that which naturally produces 

 them. The present grass was found by ViUars, on a rock, where it did not exceed three inches 

 in height; and also in corn-fields, where it attains to a considerable height. This is more gene- 

 ral with the annual, than the perennial grasses. The C?/?iosums echinatus is strictly annual. 

 Flowers about the end of June, and the seed is ripe in August 



it is found. 



Poa distcms. Reflexed Meadow-grass 



ofl. 



Curtis. Lond. 





r-l 



Poa salina. Pollich. pal. n. 92. 

 Aira aquatica. B. Huds. Angl. 34, 

 Specific character: Panicle equal, divaricated; branclic! 

 flowered; florets blunt, distant, olDsoletely 5- nerved 

 Obs.- ' 



J 



Culms from six to eighteen inches high, round, striated, smooth, obliquely ascending 

 procumbent from the base to the first joint, sending out branches. Leaves with long 

 sheaths, sharpish, even, glaucous, flat; the root-leaves a little rolled in. Panicle erect, 



gged, somewhat flexuose, branches of various 

 lengths ; finally, much bent back. Spikets linear, from 4 to 7-flowered, variegated with 

 white or purple. Florets remote, sub-cyli„drical, very blu«t, retuse, 5-nerved, scariose at 



with 



