﻿GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 131 



simple panicled. Panicle erect, the upper part racemed, the lower 

 with angular, rough, slightly spreading branches ; very seldom in 

 pairs, the lowermost branch the longest. Spikelets erect, arranged 

 on the rachis and branches alternately ; of about seven awned florets. 

 Calyx of two unequal, lanceolate, acute glumes (Fig. 1), the upper 

 glume the larger, three-ribbed, the lower one without lateral ribs. 

 Florets of two palese (Fig. 2.), the outer palea of lowermost floret 

 smooth, five-ribbed, terminating in a short rough awn, about one-sixth 

 the length of the palea. Inner palea narrow, acute, equal in length 

 to the outer palea, furnished with two green marginal ribs, minutely 

 fringed on the upper part. 



The following are some of the more striking varieties : — 



hirsuta. This variety is similar to the one described, 



differing only in the outer palea being hairy, and the root more creep- 

 ing, throwing out lateral shoots, (Plate LVIII.) Occasionally met 

 with in shady places. 



filiformis. A tall, slender variety, with the upper part 



gracefully drooping ; palea acute, toothed on the upper half of the 

 dorsal rib, and terminating in a slender awn rather more than half 

 the length of the palea ; the leaves on the stem long and linear, and 

 the root throwing out lateral branches, (Plate LIX.) Found grow- 

 ing in rich soil by the sides of lanes and shady woods. 



arenaria. A variety which seldom exceeds a foot in 



height ; the panicle short and compact ; leaves short and few, and the 

 root oftentimes very much creeping, (Plate LIX.) The whole plant 

 soon assumes a withered appearance. It is frequently found in sandy 

 soil, especially along the sea coast. 



humilis. This variety is very slender, seldom exceed- 

 ing a foot in height. The panicle is narrow and compact ; the stem 

 round and smooth throughout ; the leaves smooth on the outer sur- 

 face ; sheaths of the radical leaves hairy ; the first and second joints 

 very remote, and the root creeping, (Plate LX.) It is by no means 

 a common variety, but is occasionally met with in alpine glens. 



rubra. The largest of all the varieties, growing to the 



height of two feet or more. The spikelets seven or eight-flowered ; the 

 leaves of the stem broadish and flat ; the root extensively creeping, 



