86 



CHAPTER VII. 



CLASSIFICATION. 



Grasses have been studied and arranged by many emi- 

 nent botanists, but the generic distinctions are far from 

 clearly defined in many instances, and much scope yet 

 remains for fuller examination of this interesting family 

 of plants. We adopt the arrangement of Mr. Bentham, 

 as being the most simple of any, and sufficiently clear 

 on all the British grasses. According to his decision, 

 eight tribes of grasses are represented in the British 

 Mora, the characters of which are defined as follows : — 



Group I. PANXCACEJE. 



Spihelets with one perfect terminal flower, with or without a 

 a male or imperfect flower below it. 



Tribe 1. Oryzese. Stamens more than three, except 

 in two or three Leersias. Genus : — 1. Leersia. 



Tribe 2. Panicese. Flowering glumes of a firmer 

 texture than the empty ones below them. Genera : — 

 2. Milium ; 3. Panicum. 



Tribe 3. Phalarideae. Two male or imperfect flowers, 

 or minute rudimentary glumes below the perfect flower, 



