ceedsj and terminatiiig in a slender one-sided spike of inflorescence, 

 the rachis of which is grooved at intervals on one side^ bearing the 

 single-flowered spikelets in a double alternate series. One of these 

 spikelets is shown, much enlarged, in figure a. on our Plate. The 

 lower or outer palea is lanceolate, terminating in a rough awn or 

 point, is of a rigid texture and purplish-green hue ; the inner one, 

 lying at first within the groove of the rachis, is short and mem- 

 branaceous. Figure b. exhibits the pistil with its erect style and 

 solitary stigma, so difierent from that of the grasses in general. 



This little grass is so rigid that cattle seldom touch it. Its 

 value in nature seems chiefly that attaching to a vegetable pioneer, 

 as it quickly disappears under the efforts of cultivation, and is 

 rarely an occupant of any other than the poorest soil. The rigid 

 tufts are often to be met with forming part of the nest of the Rook 

 and other rough building birds. 



It flowers in June and July. Perennial. 



Genus 3. LEEESIA. 



Gen. Char. Inflorescence paniculate. Spikelets one-flowered; 

 without glumes. Palese two, carinate, laterally compressed, 

 awnless, nearly equal in length, the outer one broader, cymbi- 

 form. Stamens 3-6. Stigmas plumose. Pruit free, but en- 

 closed by the dry palese. 



The plants of this genus, of which not more than three or four 

 are recognized at present, are nearly allied in structure to Oryza, 

 the Eice, and Leersia oryzoides is the only representative of the 

 family of grasses named after it, Oryzea, which is indigenous to 

 Europe. Leersia lenticularis, a North American species, growing 

 in wet gravelly woods in the southern States of the Union, was 

 observed by Pursh, who found it on the islands of Roanoak river 

 in North Carolina, " catching flies in the same manner as Dioncea 

 musdpula," by the irritability of its paleiE, which he compares to 

 the leaves of that singular plant. The generic name was bestowed 

 by Dr. Solander, in commemoration of J. D. Leers, a German 

 botanist. 



Leebsia oryzoides. Rice Grass. Plate III. 



Panicle spreading, with wavy branches. Flowers semi-elliptical, 

 triandrous ; the palese ciliated. Leaves rough : ligule short. 



Leersia oryzoides, Swartz. Bnrrer, E. B. Supp. 2908. Bobington, 

 Sfc. Phalaris oryzoides, Linnaus. Ehrhartia clandestina, 

 Weber. Asprella oryzoides, and Homalocenchrus oryzoides, 

 of others. 



