49 



is generally only one near the base. Panicle in most instances 

 erect and very close^ especially when simply branched ; but in ex- 

 ceedingly luxuriant specimens with elongated and dividing branches, 

 it sometimes assumes a slightly curved and unilateral character : 

 the length varies from two to six or eight inches. Spikelets 

 purple, rarely greenish, mostly only two- or three-flowered, with a 

 terminal rudiment of another. Anthers deep purple. 



Perennial. Flowers in July and August. 



The diversity of size, general aspect, and corresponding difference 

 in the development of the panicle, have induced some botanists to 

 record mere accidental, or, at farthest, local varieties, as species. 

 Such are : M. depauperata, Lindley. A variety first noticed by 

 the late Mr. D. Don, on the Clova mountains of Scotland, where 

 it grows at an elevation of 3000 feet, and named by him M. alpina : 

 in this the spikelets are only one-flowered; but, cultivated in the 

 garden for a few years, it shows no difference from the common- 

 form of the species on the heaths around London. 



Another form, perhaps not met with in Britain, is M. altissima, 

 Link : with stems sometimes three or four feet high, a long 

 branched panicle, and many-flowered spikelets. 



The slender rigid stems have considerable elasticity, and are 

 employed in some parts of the West of England to make brooms, 

 which for ordinary purposes are used as substitutes for those made 

 of hair. They are not very durable, but sufiiciently cheap to 

 render deficiency in that respect of little importance, and the 

 collection of material, the simple manufacture and sale about the 

 countrv afford occupation and subsistence to many poor people. 

 Sinclair remarks upon the presence of this grass as useful in indi- 

 cating those deep peat soils which are adapted for the production 

 of Ash, Alder, and Willow. In Skye and other islands among the 

 Hebrides, where it grows abundantly, the stems are applied to a 

 variety of purposes, being made into ropes, mats, baskets, &c. ; 

 the ropes are valued especially by fishermen for their nets, on ac- 

 count of the length of time they last without rotting. 



It is eaten by sheep ; but cattle generally leave it untouched, 

 or crop it only when compelled by hunger ; or early in the spring 

 before the flower-stems shoot up. 



Genus 20. MELICA. Melic Grass. 



Gen. Char. Inflorescence paniculate or racemose. Spikelets 

 stalked, ovate, one- or two-flowered, with a stalked, club-shaped 

 rudiment. Glumes two, nearly equal, blunt, three-veined, 

 scarcely shorter than the enclosed flowers. Paleae two ; the 

 lower one concave, rounded on the back, hardening around 

 the upper and enclosing it with the ripening fruit. 



H 



