poa. 275 



P. pratensis, var. planiculmis, has short broad leaves, 

 larger spikelets, a flattened stem, and is of a dark green 

 colour. This variety is often found in waste places by 

 roadsides. 



P. pratensis, var. umbrosa, is a more elegant form, 

 slender, tall, and drooping, the panicle more spreading, 

 the branches nodding, and very numerous. It is as 

 much paler in tint than the normal form as var. plani- 

 culmis is darker, and it abounds in shady places. 



P. pratensis, var. arida, is a dwarfed form, the stem 

 sheathed nearly to the foot of the panicle, and its upper- 

 most leaf standing erect and reaching the apex of the 

 panicle, which droops as in the last variety, though the 

 aspect of the plant in other respects is rather sturdy. 

 It has a bleached appearance, and prevails in stony and 

 parched situations. 



P. pratensis, var. retroflexa, is also dwarfed in size, 

 and slender, but the lower branches of its panicles are 

 bent downwards, not merely nodding. It affects shady 

 nooks. 



P. pratensis, var. arenaria, is a maritime variety, 

 glaucous in tint, stout in habit, with large angular spike- 

 lets, flowering glumes seven-ribbed, and palea deeply 

 toothed. As its name indicates, it lives in sandy ground. 



The normal form of P. pratensis abounds in the best 

 meadow lands in England, as well as in many that can- 

 not lay claim to such a title. In one or other of its 

 varieties it is to be found in all sorts of pastures, on 

 hillsides, by the dusty road, in the shady wood, on 

 walls and rock-tops, and by the seashore. 



It flowers in June or very early in July. 



Abroad it is common in Lapland, Norway, Sweden, 

 Germany, Prussia, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzer- 



t 2 



