13 



not winged on the back like those of P. canariensis ; b, the single 

 fertile flower, removed from between the latter, with the two ciliated 

 or hairy scales at the base of its palese, indicating the rudiments of 

 two others; c is the pistil. The rudimentary flowers are not 

 universally present, often only one will be found, and not unfre- 

 quently they are both absent. 



The variegated grass so frequent in gardens, and known by the 

 names Eibbon Grass, Painted Lady Grass, and Lady's-traces, is a 

 variety of this, occasionally, but very seldom, met with in the wild 

 state. 



The Reed Canary Grass is one of nature's pioneers, and though 

 exceedingly valuable in habitats of its own selection, is of small 

 economical importance elsewhere. The creeping shoots are probably 

 nutritious ; they have a sweetish flavour, and pigs will often devour 

 them with avidity, as I have noticed especially with those of the 

 garden variety ; but the herbage is too coarse and rigid to be liked 

 by cattle generally. According to Linnseus, however, it is used as 

 fodder for them. in Sweden, and in the province of Scania mown 

 twice a year for that purpose. The peasantry in that country 

 employ it as thatch for their cottages and ricks, and find it more 

 durable than straw. 



There is so much difi'erence in habit and general aspect, between 

 this species and the foregoing, that their relationship would scarcely 

 be suspected by the ordinary observer. The structure of the 

 spikelets is, indeed, the only circumstance which warrants their 

 association in the same genus ; the rules of botanical classification, 

 however useful and necessary to the advancement of their science, 

 being in this instance very arbitrarily exercised. 



Perennial. Flowers in July and August. 



The species is very widely distributed on river-sides in the 

 northern parts of both the eastern and western continents. 



Phalaris paradoxa. Bristle-spiked Canary Grass. 



Inflorescence spicate, cylindrical. Glumes of the fertile flower 

 with a blunt toothed keel, many-veined. Rudimentary flowers 

 several, short, abrupt. 

 Phalaris paradoxa, Willdenow. Babington, Man. Brit. Bot.ei. 4.390. 



This species, a native of the south-eastern parts of Europe and 

 Asia Minor, has been met with in the vicinity of Swanage, Dorset- 

 shire, but has even less claim to be considered one of the grasses 

 of Great Britain than its ally P. canariensis. " Stem decumbent at 

 the base, one to three feet high, branched. Lower part of panicle 

 usually barren ; branches with about six spikes." 



"Annual. Flowers in July." — Babington. 



