54 



much elevated beyond the lower, and its awn is cuiTcd in a pecu- 

 liar manner, so as to have been compared by some botanists to a 

 fish-hook (see magnified figure b) : this flower is usually, but not 

 universally barren. 



Perennial. Flowers in June and July. 



The general distribution of this grass in old or long unbroken 

 pastures and upon almost every kind of soil, has probably led many 

 persons to entertain higher notions of its value than careful inves- 

 tigation will substantiate ; at the same time it yields largely to the 

 scythe, and where abundant and luxuriant, as it often is on moist 

 peaty lands, wonderfully increases the bulk of the hay crop ; such 

 hay, however, is soft and spongy, and, as experience manifests, 

 neither agreeable nor wholesome fodder, for horses especially. 

 Mr. Sinclair recommends, where this species predominates, sprink- 

 ling the hay with salt when it is carried, which would render it 

 more palatable. In its more favourite habitats, the abundant pro- 

 duction of seed, and broader foliage, soon enable it to overpower 

 and destroy the more slender and less prolific grasses ; hence 

 advantage should be taken of its first appearance to eradicate it 

 from the soil, before a few scattered tufts have had time to multiply 

 into hundreds and thousands. 



Genus 32. ARRHENATHERUM. Oat-like Grass. 



Gen. Char. Inflorescence loosely paniculate. Spikelets stalked, 

 two-flowered. Lower flower stameniferous only, with a long 

 dorsal knee-bent and twisted awn inserted above the base of 

 the lower palea : upper one perfect, with a short straight awn 

 inserted near the apex of the lower palea. Glumes two, mem- 

 branaceous ; the upper one longer and equalling the flowers. 

 Palese two, herbaceous, terminating in two points. 



This genus was founded by Palisot de Beauvois upon a single 

 species, which has been variously distributed by different botanists. 

 Linnaeus arranged it under Avena, the Oat family, to which it 

 appears most nearly allied. 



The name is derived from the Greek arren, male, and ather, an 

 awn or point, in allusion to the conspicuous awn of the lower barren 

 flower j like many others, belonging to botanical phraseology, its 

 value rests rather upon its being a name, than on euphony or 

 peculiar adaptation to generic character. 



Arehenathekum avenaceum. Common Oat-like Grass. 

 Plate XLVII. 



The character of the species is that of the genus, of which it 

 appears to be a solitary representative. 



