AIRA. 



167 



hairy, furnished with a little awn taking its rise near the 

 base and extending slightly beyond the summit ; palea 

 narrow, membranaceous, the margins entire, a little shorter 

 than the flowering glume and much narrower; the first 

 floret is situated just within the outer glumes and reaches 

 nearly to their apex, the second stands on a short hairy foot- 

 stalk and its tip extends beyond the summit of the outer 

 glume, it is generally rather smaller than the first floret. 



The panicles of the Tufted Hair-grass are most beau- 

 tiful objects, large, diffuse, the stems more delicate than 

 the finest wire, and the in- 

 numerable florets dancing 

 and quivering in the breeze, 

 flashing back the rays of 

 light from their glossy sil- 

 very glumes, and giving 

 grace and charm to the 

 river- side plants, or the 

 woodland shrubs among 

 which they may chance to 

 be situated. A village fete 

 on the borders of Somerset- 

 shire, which was considered 

 a great success, owed half 

 its charm to this Tufted Hair- 

 grass. The village school- 

 master had but few orna- 

 ments at his disposal, but 

 he was able to borrow a dozen soup-plates; these he 

 suspended by wires, covering the now picturesque wil- 

 low pattern with moss, and round each he wove an airy 

 wreath of the glittering panicles of this showy grass. 

 The rustic baskets were filled with simple flowers, and 



