156 FESTT7CA OVINA. 



Stem angular and rough; erect, carrying three or four in- 

 volute short rigid leaves, with rough sheaths, the upper one 

 much longer than its leaf, and having a brief bi-lobed ligule at 

 the apex. Joints two or three. Inflorescence simple-panicled. 

 Panicle brief, compact, unilateral, and erect. Spikelets of six 

 florets, having brief awns. Calyx consisting of two acute un- 

 equal-sized glumes, the upper one three-ribbed, and the lower 

 one destitute of lateral ribs. Florets of two paleae, the exterior 

 one of basal floret five-ribbed, the interior one bifid, and 

 having two green marginal ribs. Length from three inches to 

 two feet. Root perennial and somewhat creeping. 



Of the variety Hirsuta, which is common in rocky situations, 

 the glumes and florets are hairy. 



Vivipara. A singular mountain variety, having the inner 

 palea changed into a kind of leaf.* 



Angustifolia. Abundant in the Highlands; slender, long, and 

 narrow leaves. 



Ceesia. Glaucous and altogether larger. 



Duriuscula. Upper leaf flat, and larger in size. 



Filiformis. A way-side Grass; tall, slender, and drooping. 



Arenaria. Sandy situations near the sea; panicle and leaves 

 short. 



Humilis. An alpine variety. Slender, panicle narrow. 



Rubra. The largest variety. Sandy sea-side situations. 



Situation seems to be the chief cause of the great variety 

 of this species. 



A valuable agricultural Grass, especially for sheep; early 

 and productive, though small in size. 



Comes into flower in the middle of June, and ripens its 

 seed in the middle of July. 



The specimen from which the illustration is taken, was 

 gathered at Langdale, Westmorland, by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, 

 and the variety Vivipara, which the engraving at page 154 

 represents, in Paterdale, Cumberland, by the same gentleman. 



* See page 154 for a wood-cut illustration. 



