65 



First observed as a naturalized species by Mr. Borrer, about 

 Weybridge, Surrey ; since found near Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, 

 aud Swanscombe, Kent. Stems ascending at first, afterwards 

 erect, a foot and a half to two feet in height, more or less angular 

 immediately below the inflorescence. Leaves bearded at the base. 

 Spike about two inches long, generally compact and strictly cylin- 

 drical, pale. Spikelets usually two together. Involucral bristles 

 many, rigid, rough, with minute teeth projecting upwards. Lower 

 flower with three stamens and two palese. 



Annual. Flowers in September. 



Undoubtedly a distinct species, though liable to be passed over 

 as one of the preceding, of which perhaps it more nearly resembles 

 S. verticillata. The generally paler and more or less glaucous or 

 whitish- green hue, of the foliage especially, is however a striking 

 feature. 



S. glauca appears, from its comparatively recent discovery and 

 more local distribution, to be a later importation than its two con- 

 geners, and at the same time less adapted to the climate of this 

 country. Its later flowering, indicating derivation from a lower 

 latitude, is much against naturalization in England. It is, however, 

 a frequent and abundant weed in arable land throughout Southern 

 Europe, though no more strictly indigenous to the countries of the 

 latter than to our own. 



The English botanist ought to be prepared to meet with other 

 species of this genus as occasional visitants, introduced, as they 

 frequently are, with corn and other agricultural seeds from the 

 Continent and elsewhere. In this way, and by chance distribution 

 from our gardens, S. Italica, and even S. Germanica and two or 

 three more, will, probably within a few years, have an equal, if not 

 a superior, claim to rank in our British Flora, to that under which 

 ' jS. glauca is now admitted. 



The three species above described have long since been carried 

 across the Atlantic, and become equally naturalized productions of 

 the-United States of America as they are of Europe. 



Genus 28. POA. Meadow Grass. 



Gen. Char. Inflorescence paniculate, generally loose and spread- 

 ing. Spikelets stalked, two- or many-flowered. Glumes two, 

 obtuse, more or less unequal, shorter than the flowers. Paleae 

 two, membranaceous, obtuse; the lower one three or five- 

 veined, keeled, compressed, scarious at the apex ; the upper 

 one usually notched at the apex. 



The genus, as originally constituted, is one of great numerical 

 extent, containing about a hundred and fifty species, and distributed 



