210 I.EPTURUS INCXJRVATUS. 



Abroad it is met with along the shores of the Mediterranean. 



Stem circular, polished, striated, base decumbent, and bent 

 at the joints, bearing six or seven narrow, acute, involute 

 leaves, with smooth, striated, inflated sheaths, having a very 

 brief blunt ligule at the apex. Inflorescence spiked. Spike 

 lengthy and cylindrical. Spikelets alternate on the rachis. 

 Calyx of two glumes, which are four-ribbed, lanceolate, acute, 

 compact, and only spreading whilst in flower. Florets of two 

 palese, somewhat shorter than the glumes, linear, membranous, 

 and ribless. Filaments capillary. Anthers cloven at either 

 extremity, and pendulous. Styles brief. Stigmas plumose. 

 Length from three to six inches. Root annual and fibrous. 



Flowers towards the close of July, and ripens its seeds in 

 the middle of August. 



There is a slender erect-growing variety found near Aber- 

 lady, which is known as var. Filiformis. 



I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, 

 and to Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham, for specimens. 



The illustration is from a specimen gathered at Southsea, 

 by Mr. T. Coward. 



