8 ALOPECURTJS PRATENSIS. 



with two green ribs on either side; having a lengthened slender 

 dorsal awn arising almost immediately above the base. Upper 

 portion of the keel hairy. Anthers conspicuous, yellow in colour. 

 Styles joined together. Stigmas divided, slender, and downy. 

 Seed ovate. Stem erect, circular, polished, and striated, carrying 

 four or five leaves, with smooth inflated sheaths. Joints smooth. 

 Leaves flat, acute, both surfaces usually rough. Inflorescence 

 compound, branched. Panicle upright, from one to two inches 

 long; cylindrical-oblong, compact, with short branches placed 

 all round the rachis. Length varying from one to three feet, 

 according to circumstances. Root perennial and fibrous. 



Flowers through April, May, and June, and ripens its seed 

 in July and August. 



Dr. Parnell gives the following distinctions in his ''Grasses of 

 Scotland," from other species in the same genus:- — 



"1st. — From A. genicidatus in upper leaf being only half the 

 length of its sheath; awn extending more than half its length 

 beyond the palea; palea conical, with four distinct broad green 

 ribs; glumes more acute, and of a different shape, whereas in 

 A. geniculatus the upper leaf is nearly the same length as its 

 shield; palea obtuse, with four indistinct green ribs, tinged at 

 apex with purple. 



2nd. — From A. fidvus in the awn of A. f ulcus not extending 

 beyond the palea. 



3rd. — From A. agrestis in the stems and sheaths being smooth, 

 in A. agrestis they are rough. 



4th. — From A. alpinus in the panicle being longer; in A. 

 alpinus it is not an inch long; also differs in the position of 

 the aivn." 



My thanks are due to Dr. "Wilson, of Nottingham, and to 

 Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, for the illustrated 

 specimens. 



