56 



Botanical Section 



[PT 



Agrostis vulgaris, With. (Fine Bent-grass.) (Fig. 32.) 

 Perhaps only a smaller variety of A. alba. The main points 

 of difference are : leaves usually narrower ; ligule short and blunt. 

 Panicle very fine and graceful — even more 

 delicate than A. alba — and generally purple 

 in colour. The lower empty glume is 

 toothed only on the upper half of its keel. 

 (Fig. 35.) ' 



Agrostis canina, L. (Brown Bent-grass.) 

 Perennial. 



Very near A. alba and A. vulgaris, but 

 distinguishable from them by the following 

 combination of characters: the ligule is 

 long and acute and the lower leaves almost 

 needle-like. The outer palea bears a fine 

 dorsal awn as long as itself. The. inner 

 palea is wanting. (Fig. 36.) 



Agrostis setacea, Curt. A perennial 

 with needle-like leaves, and slender con- 

 tracted panicle. The outer palea bears a 

 bent basal or almost basal awn longer 

 than itself. In Great Britain is only 

 usually found in the S.W. counties of 

 England. 



Agrostis Spica-venti, L. An annual 

 with narrow but expanded leaves. The 

 panicle with its long, slender, spreading 

 branches, and shining spikelets, has a 

 graceful appearance. Not common. 



The outer palea 2-3 mm. long— bears 

 a fine, straight, sub-terminal awn from 

 twice to four times its own length. Rachilla 

 small and slender. (Fig. 37.) 



Aira ccespitosa, L. (Tufted Hair-grass.) 



(Figs. 38 and 39.) 



A perennial, abundant in Britain, growing in large dense tufts 



in moist or shady situations. Sheaths split, shoot rolled ; leaf-blades 



expanded or slightly rolled, acutely pointed. Upper surface with 



Fig. 37. Agrostis Spka- 

 venti, L. x 10. A. Empty- 

 glumes. B. " Seed." C. 

 "Seed" with awn fully- 

 shown. 



