40 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH GRASSES. 
Arra—glume of two unequal valves, including two 
perfect florets, which are usually awned from near 
their base. 
A. cespitosa—turfy hair-grass—hassock or tussac grass. 
Of this genus there are several species, but only this one 
will need description here: it is distinguished by its tall 
stem, panicle spreading ; flowers numerous on slender pedi- 
cels, haying their outer glumel awned; leaves long and 
pointed, with serrated margins and roughened ribs, which 
makes this grass very rigid and objectionable to cattle, on 
which account, and from its possessing but little nutritive 
matter, they commonly object to eat it unless when quite 
young. It is found constant to two positions—moist damp 
woods, under the trees, where it forms an excellent covert 
for game. Its more objectionable habitat is in undrained 
meadows, or where there is a chance of water stagnating; 
and hence it is interesting as marking want of drainage, the 
stoppage of a drain, of a grip not well opened, or a want of 
free exit for the water in any part of a water-meadow. If 
any of these conditions continue for a length of time— 
sometimes incredibly short—this grass soon assumes its 
large cushion-like growth, from which it has attained the 
country names of hassock or tussac grass, bullpates, &c. It 
establishes itself in separate masses, like the larger jungle 
grasses of the tropics, which soon overpower all other 
species. Where present a meadow can never be perfect; 
if in irrigation, the wet “swag”’ must be relieved by an 
additional grip or channel into the exit-drain. In the mea- 
dows, with proper draining, its disappearance is equally 
rapid with its former growth. 
Hoxrcus—panicle lax, florets soft with downy hairs; 
glwnes of two nearly equal two-flowered valves ; 
upper floret awned, lower one awnless. 
HZ. lanatus—meadow soft grass; awn short and eurved 
backwards, so that it is seldom exserted beyond the glumes; 
its upper end only is rough ; plant not creeping. —P. 
