﻿GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 17 



florescence panicled. Panicle erect, from one to two inches long, cy- 

 lindrical, compact, with short branches, arranged on all sides of the 

 rachis. Spikelets small, numerous, compressed, of an oval form, erect, 

 of one-awned floret equal in length to the calyx. Calyx of two acute, 

 membranous glumes (Fig. 1 ) of equal lengths, united at the lower part, 

 three-ribbed, fringed on the keels, and hairy on the lateral ribs, which 

 are of a light green. Floret, of one palea (Fig. 2), with two rather 

 distant ribs on each side ; of an oval form, furnished with a slender 

 dorsal awn arising from a little below the centre, and not extending 

 beyond the summit of the palea. Filaments three, slender. Anthers 

 short and roundish, notched at each end, of a yellowish colour. Styles 

 short, united. Stigmas slender, feathery. 



This grass, on account of its very great resemblance to Alopecurus 

 geniculatus, has been frequently mistaken for it ; but is at all times 

 readily distinguished in the awn of the palea not extending beyond 

 the calyx; — whereas in A. geniculatus the awn projects half its length 

 beyond the calyx, which is very visible even without the aid of a glass. 

 (See Fig. 3.) 



The length of the awn will also distinguish Alopecurus fulvus from 

 Alopecurus pratensis and Alopecurus agrestis, independent of any other 

 character. 



In Scotland this grass is very rare, having been found only in An- 

 gus-shire and Fifeshire. In England it is met with in Essex, Nor- 

 folk, Cambridge, Worcester, and Denbigh. It has not been found in 

 Ireland, nor has mention been made of its occurrence in America 

 or southern parts of Europe. Linnaeus seems to have noticed it in 

 Lapland as a variety of Alopecurus geniculatus with a short awn. 



It grows by the margins of pools in rather moist situations, and 

 flowers in June. Its habits are similar to that of Alopecurus genicu- 

 latus, and probably of no greater agricultural importance. 



8. Phleum pratense. * 

 Cafs-tail Grass or Timothy Grass, 



Specific Characters. — Glumes more than twice the length of their 

 awns. (Plate VI.) 



* Phleum pratense , Linn. Koch, Leers, Smith, Hooker, Lindte}', Greville, Knapp. 



B 



