MILIUM. 



101 



smaller, smooth and glossy ; palea a little smaller again, of 

 similar texture, faintly two-nerved, and along with the 

 flowering glume enveloping the seed. 



This grass is familiar to every one who observes 

 grasses at all. Its great height, widely spreading pa- 

 nicle, and multitude of small 

 florets, generally of a pale 

 green tint, but sometimes 

 in exposed situations turn- 

 ing purple, ensure it atten- 

 tion; but the situations it 

 selects, and the plants which 

 frequently occupy its neigh- 

 bourhood, are a further 

 guarantee for the Millet- 

 grass receiving its due meed 

 of praise. While writing 

 this, a dozen woody nooks 

 come before the memory, 

 where the atmosphere for five 

 feet from the ground seems 

 crowded with dancing green motes, the quivering florets 

 of the Spreading Millet; while from amidst this vegetable 

 swarm the stately spires of the crimson Foxglove rise, 

 or the pale bells of the giant Campanula swing to and fro, 

 ringing their mute chimes ; or, again, the lithe branches 

 of the Dog-rose stoop down to the quivering grass florets, 

 and shake their rosy petals among them, so as to 

 create a fresh commotion throughout the dancing crowd. 

 Even in woods so dense that only the Helleborine can 

 endure their shadowy depths, the Spreading Millet lifts 

 its airy panicles, and here it grows very high, overtop- 



