262 BRITISH GRASSES. 



It is not without agricultural importance. In marshy 

 land it forms a considerable proportion of the herbage, 

 and cattle eat it readily enough when there is no great 

 choice. In moist pastures it yields a fair crop. It is 

 carefully cultivated in Germany for its seeds, which, ac- 

 cording to Dr. Parnell, form the Manna Croup of the 

 shops, and are considered a delicacy in soups and gruels. 

 The seeds made into flour afford bread of fair quality ; 

 birds and trout are said to be very fond of them in their 

 natural state. 



The Floating Poa is common throughout Britain, and 

 also in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France, 

 Spain, Portugal, Italy, North Africa, New Holland, and 

 North America. 



Poa fluitans, var. subspicata, has a spike-like form of 

 inflorescence, the long spikelets being placed on short 

 footstalks, and planted singly at distances of nearly 

 their own length along the alternate sides of the rachis. 

 Its leaves are narrower and more pointed than in the 

 normal form, and it has larger anthers. This is a fre- 

 quent form of P. fluitans in Scotland, it grows in rich 

 moist land, or about pools and slow streams, and forms 

 excellent pasturage for cows. 



It flowers in June, and the seed is ripe in August. 



It is supposed that the seed has been conveyed to New 

 South Wales from England. 



There is an Australian species {Poa pilosa) described 

 by Host, which possesses* the united charms of Poa 

 fluitans and Poa aquatica, and some which belong to 

 neither of them. Its culms are tall, shining, with large 

 points and long tapering leaves, rising gracefully from 

 their smooth glossy sheaths. The panicles are lanceolate, 

 quickly expanding from the base, and then tapering to 



