66 



Botanical Section 



[PT I 



r their length without the awn varies from 6-10 mm. The outer 

 palea of the lower flower bears a long (10 mm. or more) twisted 

 and "kneed" dorsal awn. The outer palea of the upper flower 

 usually bears only a short sub-terminal awn-point, but it may 

 have a dorsal, twisted and "kneed" awn; its apex is ragged. 

 Both of the outer palese are distinctly nerved, and the margins of 

 both inner palese are delicately fringed. Bach flower has a con- 

 spicuous basal tuft of white hairs. (Fig. 55.) 



(N.B. The twisting of the awns is only apparent when the 

 seed is ripe.) 



Fig. 48. " Seed" of Alopecurus agrestis, L. x 10. Two views. 



Arundo Phragmiles, L. (Common Reed.) (Fig. 56.) Common 

 in Britain. 



A perennial aquatic species with creeping rhizomes. Sheaths 

 smooth, split, bearded at the throat, i.e. where sheath and blade 

 : meet. Leaves rolled in the shoot ; blades about one foot long or 



