80 MOLINIA C^RULEA. 



than its leaf, bearing at its apex a diminutive ligule. Joints 

 smooth, and close to the base. Inflorescence compound panicled. 

 Panicle upright, lengthy, narrow, and compact; branches slender, 

 rough, and situated on the rachis in bunches at certain intervals. 

 Spikelets numerous, small, chiefly composed of two, yet some- 

 times of three, awnless florets, purplish in colour, and considerably 

 longer than the glumes. Calyx smooth, of two unequal, acute 

 glumes. Florets of two equal-sized palese, exterior one of basal 

 floret smooth, three-ribbed, and acute; inner one having two 

 bold marginal ribs of a green colour. Root consisting of a 

 multitude of strong fibres, perennial. Length from one to two 

 feet and a half. 



Flowers towards the end of July, and ripens its seed at the 

 close of August. 



There is a variety known as Molinia depauperata, which 

 Lindley and Parnell give as a distinct species, and known as 

 the Tawny Melic Grass. It differs in being usually less in size, 

 and having the leaves of the stem extending beyond the panicle, 

 in the calyx having only one floret, the outer palea being flve- 

 ribbed. It was discovered on the Clova Mountains, (three 

 thousand feet above the sea,) by Mr. Donald Munro. There is 

 another variety more dwarf and compact, known as M. ccerulea, 

 var. breviramosa, distinguished by its dwarf habit and dark purple 

 inflorescence — a common Grass on moors. 



The specimen for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Joseph 

 Sidebotham, of Manchester. 



