NARDUS STEICTA. 



LiNirjETTS. HooKEE AND Aenott. Whldexow. Vahl. Leees. Koch. 

 Paenhasi. Knapp. Smith. Cavanilles. 



SOWEBBT. SlNCLAIE. GsETILLE. LiNDLET. HtJDSOJT. ScHEEBEEi 

 "WiTHEEING. MaETTK. ScHEABEE. 



PLATE II. 



The Mat Grass. 



Nardus — Odoriferous, (from the Greek.) Striata — Upright. 



Naedtts. Linnmm. — Spikelets simple, on one side of the rachis only. 

 Glumes -wanting. Glumellas two; the outer one keeled. Stigma elon- 

 gated, filiform, and papillose. Stamens three in number. Confined to 

 a solitary British species. 



A MOST abundant Grass on moors and sandy wastes. There 

 is a rush-like character in its leaves, which are rigid, harsh, 

 and forming thick tufts which continue all winter. 



It is of no use for agricultural purposes, cattle rejecting it 

 if they can find other food. 



Common throughout Scotland, England, Ireland, Lapland, 

 Norway, Sweden, and Germany; also found in the most nor- 

 therly portions of North America. 



Spike single; spikelets single-flowered, lanceolate in form, de- 

 posited in two rows on one side of the rachis only; the opposite 

 side of rachis naked. Without a calyx. Glumes none. Florets 

 consisting of two palese, the exterior one tipped with a brief 

 rough awn; the inner palea shorter, entire, membranous, and 

 linear-lanceolate in form. Anthers oblong. Ovarium also oblong 

 and slender. Style only one. 



Stigma one, elongated, filiform, papillose. Seed solitary, linear. 



