582 GEAMiNE^. [Phleum. 



keel, near which on either side is a strong green rib reaching almost to the apex, 

 and an additional pair near the margins of the glumes, not attaining the length 

 of the former, of which lateral pair the exterior rib is generally rough and promi- 

 nent. PalecB ovato-oblong, the length of the glumes, folded, glabrous, with two 

 strong scabrous ribs on each side, one near the dorsal, the other near the 

 anterior margin, green above, pale and evanescent as they descend. Atvn slen- 

 der, twisted, smooth below, scabrous above, pretty straight, inserted very near to 

 the base of the palea and about twice its length. Anthers much protruded, pale 

 bufif or purple ; filaments flat, tapering. Ovary minute, ovate, smooth and shining. 

 Scale (nectary, Sm) obsolete ? Styles united at their base, very long, tapering, 

 simple and feathery. 



The cornfields are in many parts of the island quite covered with the slender 

 purple spikes of this most troublesome and prolific weed, which continues longer 

 in flower than almost any other grass, and, from exclusively affecting cultivated 

 land, besides having an annual root, is, unlilje the perennial species of the genus, 

 entirely useless as pasturage. This is the Black-grass of the Isle-of-Wight 

 farmers, and is no doubt so called from its injurious qualities, and not from its 

 colour. Happily the species is confined to the more southern parts of Britain, 

 being rare and perhaps not indigenous to Scotland and (as yet unknown in) 

 Ireland. 



IV. Phleum, Linn. Cat's-tail-grass. 



" Panicle spiked. Spikelets laterally compressed. Glumes 

 nearly equal, parallel, acumiBate or mucronato-aristate, longer 

 than the floret. Glumellas 2, membranous, glabrous, awnless. 

 Caryopsis free." — Br. Fl. 



1. P. pratensis, L. Meadow Cat's-tail-grass. Timothy-grass. 

 " Panicle cylindrical, glumes truncated mucronato-aristate ciliated 

 at the back at least twice as long as the awn, neuter floret want- 

 ing."— 5r. Fl. p. 519. E. B. t. 1076. Host. Gram. Aiist. iii. 7, 

 t. 9. 



In meadows and pastures ; everywhere. Fl.Jime — October. If.. 



2. P. arenarium, L. Sea-side Cat's-tail-grass. Sand Cat's-tail- 

 grass. " Panicle obovato - cylindrical, glumes lanceolate acute 

 ciliated at the back above the middle." — Br. Fl. p. 520. Parn. 

 Or. t. 7. Phalaris, E. B. t. 222. 



In sandy fields and on the sandy shores of the sea ; very rare. Fl. May, June. 



©• 



W. Med. — Found in considerable abundance on the sandy shore at Norton, 

 Freshwater, June 21st, 1846. 



V. Ammophila, Host. Sea-reed. 



"Panicle spiked. Spikelets laterally compressed. Glumes 

 nearly equal, keeled, membranaceous, diverging, longer than the 

 floret. Glumellas 2, subcoriaceous below, each with a tuft of 

 short silky hairs at the base ; outer one mucronulate or with a 

 very short awn below the point. Neuter floret 1, rudimentary and 

 very minute, coriaceous, sessile, often obsolete." — Br. Fl. 



I. A. arenaria, [Link.] Common Sea-reed, Marram or Mat- 

 weed. " Panicle cylindrical acuminate, glumes acute, hairs one- 

 third the length of the floret." — Br. Fl. A. arundinacea, Host. 



