﻿GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 105 



From Poa fluitans, in the upper glume having three ribs ; outer 

 palea five-ribbed, with the dorsal rib perfectly smooth ; — whereas in 

 P. Jiuitans the upper glume has but one rib ; outer palea seven- 

 ribbed, with the dorsal rib minutely toothed its whole length. 



From Bucetum pratense in the inflorescence being racemed ; — 

 whereas in B. pratense the inflorescence is simple panicled. (Plate 

 XL VI.) 



From genus Festuca (where this grass was formerly placed), in the 

 leaves of the root being broader than those of the stem ; florets not 

 awned ; outer palea membranous at the summit ; — whereas in Festuca 

 the leaves of the root are generally narrower than those of the stem ; 

 florets awned from the extreme summit. 



Bucetum loliaceum grows naturally in moist, rich meadows, and 

 forms a good permanent pasture grass, superior to rye-grass (Lolium 

 perenne) ; but as it produces but a small quantity of seed, and that 

 generally imperfect, the cultivation of this grass by seed is im- 

 practicable. It may be propagated by transplanting the roots, but 

 this would incur greater labour and expense than the merits of the grass 

 warrant. 



It is a frequent grass in Scotland, England, and Ireland ; also a 

 native of Germany, France, and Italy. Not found in America. 



Flowers in the second week of July ; the seeds seldom attain to 

 perfection. 



70. Bucetum pratense. * 

 Meadow Fescue- Grass. 



Specific Character. — Panicle simple. (Plate XL VI.) 

 Description. — It grows from fifteen inches to two feet high. The 

 root is perennial, fibrous. Stem erect, round, smooth and striated ; 

 bearing four or five leaves, with smooth striated sheaths ; the upper 

 sheath much longer than its leaf, crowned with a very short obtuse 

 ligule, decurrent on one side. Joints four, smooth, the first and se- 

 cond very remote. Leaves lanceolate, acute, flat, scabrous at the points, 



* Bucetum pratense, Parnell. Festuca pratensis, Koch, Smith, Hooker, Greville. 

 Schedonorus pratensis, Lindley. 



