BROMUS. 



227 



footstalks, often measuring three and a half inches, the 

 awns inclusive, containing eight florets ; empty glumes un- 

 equal, smooth, minutely toothed on the keels; the outer 

 one only two-thirds the length of the inner, both lanceolate, 

 pointed ; flowering glumes larger and broader, acutely lan- 

 ceolate, very rough to the touch, with deflexed bristles, bifid 

 at summit, with shining edges, and seven ribs, awned ; awns 

 rough, straight, not exceeding double the length of the 

 florets ; palea very thin, membranaceous, linear-lanceolate, 

 fringed on the folds, one- third shorter than the flowering 

 glume ; ovary ovate, styles arising from its summit, stigmas 

 feathery ; filaments slender ; anthers notched at each end ; 

 scales pointed. 



This rare species has a considerable resemblance to 

 the Barren Brome-grass, but its spikelets are longer and 

 much broader, the awns of the lower florets exceeding in 

 length those of the upper 

 ones, so that the points of 

 all are nearly equal, and the 

 footstalks are shorter, unde- 

 serving the name of branches. 



There is a peculiar acute, 

 conical point at the base of 

 the florets, which will dis- 

 tinguish this from every 

 other species ; the downiness 

 of the rachis and branches 

 distinguish it from B. steri- 

 lis, and also the awn of the 

 flowering glume, which is at 

 least half as long again as itself. 



Mr. Babington found this handsome grass at St. Au- 

 byn's Bay, Jersey, and it has been discovered in other 

 parts of that island, but not elsewhere in Britain. Its 



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