14 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH GRASSES. 
by the farmer. For instance the Triticwm repens is called 
Couch (cooch), whilst the Agrostis stolonifera, and Poa 
compressa, are indifferently named Switch, or small couch. 
The two latter are held in such detestation by the farmer, 
that it is not at all uncommon to hear him say that he 
would rather have “fine healthy couch to deal with,” 
meaning 7. repens, “ than the nasty benty squitch.” 
The Alopecurus agrestis is well known by the name of 
“black bent,” and is sometimes a very troublesome weed, 
more especially in stiff infertile clays. The Lias Shales, in 
the Vale of Gloucester, where unameliorated by drifts, are 
often full of it. The Forest Marble on the higher Cottes- 
wolds has also a great abundance. Jt is in all cases an 
evidence of poor plastic soil, and soon disappears with 
draining and good tillage. 
The Avena fatua is very common in the stiff lias clays in 
the Vale of Gloucester, and it is curious that an objection 
urged by the Vale farmer against the sowing of oats, is 
that, in his opinion, the scattered grain degenerates into 
wild oats. This is a question I shall not discuss at present, 
but that wild oats should be dreaded is not wonderful, as in 
some instances they completely smother the intended crop, 
growing higher than wheat; and as they shed their seeds 
before the wheat is ripe, a continued succession is main- 
tained. However, even wild oats soon disappear under 
good tillage and judicious cropping. 
The Loliwm temulentwm (darnel) is the only other species 
that need now be commented upon. This grass has large 
seeds, which are reputed to possess highly intoxicating pro- 
perties, but as it occurs in such small quantities, I have had 
no opportunities of testing these qualities, but from the 
nature of the case I incline to think that their effects have 
been much overrated. 
Having now dwelt upon the natural history of grasses as 
they occur in the more wild state, it seems proper to note 
that some of them are cultivated as shifting crops, and come 
in inaregular course of rotation; and though up to the 
