THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH GRASSES. 63 
is very similar to that in the favourite habitats of this form 
of grass. 
Here, then, we see in these forms of fescue, plants which 
assume what have been taken as specific differences, not 
only from change of circumstance giving rise to varicties 
which are maintained from seed, but assuming a varied form 
from the same seed, and absolutely becoming pratensis, and 
afterwards elatior, from a typical form of loliacea; and so 
certain has been this occurrence in our own experimental 
garden, that the result of twice sowing the three forms of 
seed from different seedsmen has been the negative of lolia- 
cea and pratensis and the permanent establishment of elatior 
on all the plots. 
As therefore F. clatior seems to be the more perfect state 
of the grass, this name should more properly be attached to 
the group. 
In an agricultural point of view, the fescues afford widely 
useful varieties, each of which is valuable under certain 
distinct circumstances, and, indeed, under them keep their 
typical forms, thus :— 
Ff. ovina is essentially a grass of the thin soils resting on 
rocky uplands, as on the mountain limestone, the oolites of 
the stony Cotteswolds, and most mountain ranges. 
F., var. duriuscula—in the valleys between such hills, 
and in the more sheltered pastures in upland districts. 
Ff, var. rubra—in sandy loams of the lowland meadow, 
and by the sea-shore. 
F. loliacea—rich meadows, on river-banks, or under irri- 
gation. 
F., var. pratensis— best lowland pastures not liable to 
floods. 
F,, var. elatior—on sandy clays, or other stiff or strong 
land, especially on warped sea-shores. 
In each of these situations the peculiar form is well 
adapted for yielding, under the circumstances, as good a 
crop and of as good quality as any other species. There 
can be no objection to their encouragement in the habitats 
