POA. 



265 



appearance, but its stems are less decumbent at the base, 

 the branches of its panicle are strongly deflexed in ma- 

 turity, and the spikelets are 

 smaller. 



P. distans grows in mea- 

 dows, on waste ground, and 

 on banks near the sea. In 

 Cornwall it is very frequent, 

 clothing the firm ground on 

 the banks of the tidal rivers, 

 and it is also of frequent 

 occurrence in other coun- 

 tries. 



It is found throughout 

 Europe and western Asia, 

 and also in North America. 



It flowers in July, and 

 ripens its seed in August. 



For agricultural purposes 

 it does not possess many 



qualifications. It is an easy grass to recognize, for not 

 only are the reflexed branches a striking feature, but it 

 is often found growing in a slanting position, the stems 

 bearing an oblique direction to the earth on which it 

 grows. 



P. distans, var. obtusa, has larger spikelets than the 

 normal form, and broader and blunter flowering glumes. 

 Dr. Parnell describes it as gathered by Mr. Babington, 

 at Breedon, in Leicestershire, w 7 here it grows in great 

 quantity, and is cultivated as a hay crop. 



P. distans, var. minor, a dwarfed form of the last 

 variety, with fewer florets in the spikelets, also discovered 

 by Mr. Babington. 



