INTRODtrCTION. V 



the minute rooty fibres through which it must ascend, it is at 

 once apparent that a power to dissolve flint is given to the 

 Grasses, and that it is conveyed upwards in a liquid or fluid 

 state. 



To the Grasses we are in a great measure indebted for the 

 splendid green of the landscape, and indeed every one must 

 look with pleasure on the vivid freshness of the fields in early 

 spring, when the increasing warmth has induced them to put 

 forth fresh leaves. 



Although the farmer reaps a plentiful harvest from the choicest 

 of our British graminse, there is one species that may be said 

 to be his greatest pest. I allude to Twitch, or Couch Grass j 

 rapid in its growth, tenacious of life, and propagated with 

 a freedom scarcely to be met with in any other plant; a field 

 soon becomes covered with this troublesome weed, its under- 

 ground creeping stems spreading in all directions, until, if left 

 alone, it would speedily take sole possession of the land, to 

 the exclusion of all other crops. Some time since it was proposed 

 to try experiments in order to ascertain whether this abundant 

 plant might not be turned to some useful purpose, and the 

 manufacture of paper from it was proposed. It would be a 

 great boon to the farmer if something could be done with this 

 plant, something that would enable him to clear the soil with 

 profit to himself beyond that of clearing his land. 



It is very surprising that so little appears to be known amongst 

 botanists and farmers regarding our British Grasses, in very 

 many instances, beyond the knowledge that such and such is 

 a Grass, nothing more is known; indeed to those who spend 

 their whole lives amongst this tribe of plants, if they are told 

 how many British species are to be found in their fields, hedge- 

 rows, and plantations, they are astonished, and will scarcely 

 believe the information. Yet a knowledge of the agricultural 

 Grasses, at all events, would be of inestimable benefit to the 

 farmer. There are profitable Grasses, and those that are un- 



