80 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
between Hurst Castle, Milford, and Keyhaven; but in 1905 it 
was “plentiful and evidently rapidly increasing.” On the roadstead 
of Poole Harbour a single small clump was discovered by Mansel- 
Pleydell in 1899. Six years later Riddlesdell found it ‘‘ in some 
quantity” by the fever . at Poole, whereas Mr. W. J. God- 
dard describes it in a letter to Col. Prain, dated October 8 of 
last year, as ahd: in hundreds of big clumps all round the 
harbour on nearl dfiat. 
To explain the sudden appearance of the grass three theories 
suggest themselves. It may, like S. alterniflora, have been intro- 
of an dxeperiiel the more so as S. Neyrautii and S. Townsendit 
approach each us so closely that they sec nat ad we as -diatinss 
species if one wished to leave the theory of their hybrid origin out 
of consideration. 
But another question, perhaps of more practical interest, 
presents itself. hat are the conditions that enable the grass to 
i a ho e 
ispersa . | 
rene which float and would be carried about by the tides or 
on the ard ks. grass does not seem to seed very oa 
although it flowers profusely ; but a few fertile clumps, as I have 
seen the r all give a good y. When the seeds 
suppl 
Bosily ti under natural conditions, we do not yet cert 
erica), which lie in the oe ath over a 
nee id sevice in the following spring. The seeds of these 
two grasses are remarkably similar, ante the grasses are not 
allied at all. They have a pee veloped embryo, which, in 
S. i and bright 
green oughout, ineinding even “he oe scutellum, which 
Sheth oe the process of germination passes off very oral 
and effectively. Once established, t bs anode ould soon grow 
