﻿GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 13 



awn arising a little beneath the centre (or sometimes from the centre) 

 and not projecting more than one-third its length beyond the palea. 

 Frequently the awn is entirely wanting. 



Alopecurus is distinguished from Phleum in having but one palea. 



This grass to the farmer is one of the most valuable, as it is one 

 of the earliest and best for permanent pastures, and most grateful 

 of all grasses to every kind of cattle ; but not so well adapted for 

 hay, in consequence of the stems being few, and but sparingly fur- 

 nished with leaves. It thrives best on rich land, of an intermediate 

 quality as to moisture and dryness, such as in low meadow ground, 

 or in boggy places which have been drained. Mr Sinclair* has shown 

 that its produce is nearly three-fourths greater on a clayey loam than 

 on a sandy soil, and that the quantity of nutritive matter is also greater 

 in the proportion of three to two. The proportional value in which 

 the grass of the latter-math exceeds that of the flowering crop is as 

 four to three ; therefore it is evident that the loss sustained by cutting 

 this grass at the time of flowering is considerable, which is not the 

 case with most grasses. It does not arrive to maturity until the fourth 

 year after the seeds are sown : hence it is inferior to many grasses for 

 the purposes of alternate cropping. In most of the rich natural pas- 

 tures in Britain, it constitutes the principal grass. Its limit of alti- 

 tude seems to be about 1500 feet above the sea. Throughout the 

 whole of Britain Alopecurus pratensis is very common. It is also a 

 native of Lapland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Holland, 

 Germany, France, and Italy ; and although now common in Ame- 

 rica, it is supposed to have been introduced. Flowers in April, May, 

 and June, and ripens its seed in June and July. 



5. Alopecurus alpinus. f 

 Alpine Fox-tail Grass. 



Specific Characters. — Awn, when present, projecting not more 

 than one-third its length beyond the palea. (Plate IV.) 



* Sinclair's Hortus Gramineas WolnrnensU. 



f Alopecurus alpinus, Smith, Hooker, Lindley, Knapp. Alopecurus ovatus •without 

 awns, Knapp. 



