244 BRITISH GRASSES. 



grace about the whole plant to which the Lolium is a 

 stranger. 



The Spiked Fescue grows naturally in the same kind 

 of fields as those selected by the Meadow Fescue. It is 

 a very valuable grass for permanent pasturage ; its herb- 

 age is superior to that of the Rye-grass, but it does not 

 ripen seed in sufficient quantity to make it as easy of 

 cultivation as that favourite grass. It springs earlier, 

 affording a dainty mouthful when grass is very scarce, 

 and it becomes more productive as its age advances. 



It is frequent in Germany, France, and Italy. 



It flowers in the middle of July. 



F. elatior, var. pratensis. Common Meadow Fescue 

 resembles the F. elatior very closely, but very generally 

 considered as a distinct species. The panicle is quite 

 simple ; the height of the stems from fifteen to twenty- 

 four inches; the spikelets ovate-lanceolate, containing 

 five or six florets ; flowering glumes furnished with a 

 very short rough awn ; the radical leaves broader than 

 those of the stem. 



This variety is frequent in Britain, and has the same 

 qualities as the normal type. Its foreign homes are 

 also the same. 



F. elatior, var. arundinacea. Tall Meadow Fescue is 

 a variety frequenting watery places, and affecting a reed- 

 like manner of growth. The panicle is more spreading 

 than in the normal form, and the leaves broader. It 

 prefers maritime situations. 



F. elatior, var. variegatum. Variegated Meadow 

 Fescue. Here the spikelets are tinted with purple and 

 white, the branches of the rachis are very short, and the 

 leaves are broad and hairy on the inner surface. Re- 

 sembles the last variety in its choice of habitat. 



