A1RA. 169 



in the damp grove, to be spared ; and there we would 

 feast our taste on its glittering beauty. It forms a good 

 cover for game and waterfowl, so we shall have the good- 

 will of the sportsman on our side in retaining it on waste 

 lands. It will grow in any kind of soil. The panicles, 

 when gathered and hung in bunches by their stems to 

 dry, retain all their grace, the side branches continuing 

 to droop under the weight of the dry florets. These, 

 mixed with everlasting flowers, and some crimson 

 branches of Humea, which retain their colour all winter 

 when dried in the way prescribed for the Aira, make 

 charming winter bouquets for the drawing-room. 



There is a variety called vivipara, found in the Clova 

 Mountains, in which the seeds germinate without falling 

 from the panicle ; the stem is comparatively short, but 

 what it loses in height it adds in bulk, being more than 

 twice the thickness of the slender stem of the normal 

 form ; its sheaths are destitute of rough bristles, as are 

 also the rachis and branches ; the backs of the leaves 

 are smooth. This is the same as the variety called laevi- 

 gata by Sir J. E. Smith, only his plant was not vivipa- 

 rous. It grows on Ben Lawers and other of the higher 

 Scotch mountains. 



A. ccespitosa, var. lutescens (Yellowish Hair-grass) , is 

 a variety introduced by Messrs. Lawson. It is free 

 from the objectionable tendency to form dense tufts 

 which we have noticed in the normal type, and does not 

 grow nearly so tall. It yields a good soft herbage early 

 in the season, which is readily eaten by the cattle. On 

 this account it is considered a good ingredient of perma- 

 nent pastures. 



A. ccespitosa, var. longiaristata (Long-awned Tufted 

 Aira), is a variety principally distinguished by the awn 



