MEADOW BARLEY 547 



False Brome-Grass {Brachypodium pinnatum Beauv.), Fig. 256, 

 and Slender False Brome-Grass {Brachypodium sylvaticum R. 

 and S.). The former species has an erect panicle and is 

 common on open downs and poor pUstures in chalky 

 districts : it is known as ' Tor grass ' in Kent. The 

 latter species has a drooping inflorescence, and is met 

 with in woods and on hedge-banks. 



Genus Nardus. 



Inflorescence a spike : spikelets one-flowered arranged 

 one at each notch of the rachis, and on one side of the 

 latter : no empty glumes : flowering glume narrow with 

 a short awn. 



Mat-Grass {Nardus stricta L.). — A small stiff' peren- 

 nial grass 6 or 8 inches high. Common on dry heaths 

 and moors. Its stems and leaves are wiry and rejected 

 by sheep. 



Genus Hordeum. 



Inflorescence a spike : spikelets one-flowered arranged 

 three together at each notch of tlie rachis and alter- 

 nately on opposite sides of the latter. All three 

 spikelets at each notch may be bisexual or only the 

 central one, the lateral spikelets being in the latter case 

 male or neuter : empty glumes two, very narrow, awned, 

 placed partially in front of the spikelet. Flowering g ^ 

 glume with a long terminal awn. fig. 185.— 



Cultivated Barley {Hordeum sativum Pers.). — (See M'at - Grass 



, ' ^ (Nardus 



p. 500.) stricta L.) 



Meadow Barley {Hordeitm pratense Huds.). — A per- ske). ""^^ 



• 1 . . , , ^ ^.Baseof 



ennial species common m wet or damp meadows near i e af- blade 

 riversides where it grows about 18 inches high!" "" '^"^' 



It possesses a slender stem and narrow flat leaves. Meadow 

 barley grows early in spring and may be considered a useful 

 pasture grass when not allowed to flower. In hay, however, 



