242 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



trivialis, Cynosurus cristatus, and Festuca pratensis ; all but Cy- 

 nosurus common in this State, and many of them far inferior for 

 culture here to our Timothy Grass. 



Glyceria. R. Br. 3. 2. 



G. Jluitans. R.Br. Floating Fescue. This was taken from 

 Festuca, and is closely allied to jP. elatior ; grows in wet places, 

 and stagnant water, and its long, narrow leaves float on the sur- 

 face. The herbage, roots, and seed are grateful to various 

 animals. The generic name is from the Greek for sweet, from the 

 pleasantness of the herbage to cattle. 



G. acutiflora, Torrey, was found at Deerfield by Dr. Cooley ; 

 much like the other, but a smaller grass. 



Cynosurus. L. 3. 2. 

 Named from the Greek for dog's tail, from the form of the 

 spike of flowers. About 20 species are spread over the eastern 

 continent, though but few in one section. 



C. cristatus. L. Dog's-tail Grass. Is common in the 

 meadows of Europe, and is rather a favorite grass of the English. 

 The seed of it is now sold to agriculturists, and the value of the 

 grass in this country will soon be ascertained. It yields much 

 more bulk of grass in seed-time, than in flowering ; but its nutri- 

 ment is far greater when cut in flowering-time, even as 17 to 10. 

 It delights in a dry soil ; fitted for good pasturage. .Sinclair. 



Uniola. L. 3. 2. 

 U. spicata. L. Spike Grass. Named from the union of the 

 glumes. Loudon. An American genus found about salt marshes. 



Holcus. L. 3. 2. 



H. lanatus. L. Woolly Soft Grass. Velvet Grass. Culm 

 2-3 feet high, with a downy covering, very soft ; in meadows at 

 Watertown. Big. Introduced. Named from the Greek to 

 draw, on the old notion that the leaves would draw out thorns 

 from the flesh. Loudon. A grass little desired by any animals. 



