CATABROSA. 



287 



The Water Catabrose grows on the margin of pools 

 and in watery places, running in the water to a con- 

 siderable distance in the same 

 manner as the Poa fluitans. 

 It is remarkable for its float- 

 ing stems and leaves, and 

 the purple or bluish colour 

 of its light spreading pa- 

 nicle. It is one of the 

 sweetest grasses in Britain, 

 but is only suitable for wet 

 situations. The author of 

 the 'Farmer's Dictionary' 

 asserts that this grass con- 

 tributes chiefly to the sweetness of Cottenham cheese, 

 and the fineness of Cambridge butter. The leaves, stems, 

 and flowers have a taste like liquorice, and are much 

 appreciated by cattle. Waterfowl are very fond of its 

 seeds and young shoots. 



It is frequent in watery places throughout the British 

 Isles flowering in July, and ripening its seeds in August. 



Its foreign range of growths extends through Lapland, 

 Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, and Italy. 



Catabrosa aquatica, var. littoraiis. Littoral Catabrose. 

 — This variety was first noted by Sir W. Hooker, as found 

 by Mr. Wilson on the north shore of Liverpool. Dr. 

 Parnell records the finding of it by himself in many 

 places on the w r est coast of Scotland growing among 

 sand within reach of the tide, and sending its shoots out 

 freely in all directing. Like the normal type its stems 

 are at first procumbent or floating, and rooting at the 

 joints, its leaves and sheaths are smaller, and the spike- 

 lets sometimes contain only one floret ; this peculiarity 



