THE GRASSES OF MAINE. 57 



Genus Phalaris, Linneus. 



Phat-a-ris. 



From the Greek, phalos, shining, in allusion to the smooth sur- 

 face of the flowering glume. Spikelets crowded in a clustered or 

 spiked panicle, apparently one, but really three-flowered, the two 

 inferior flowers scale-like and minute, the upper flower perfect. 

 Glumes equal, keeled and awnless. 



66. Fhalaris canariensis, Linneus. 

 Plial'-a-ris ca-na-ri-en'-sis. 



Common Name. Canary Grass. 



Annual. Stems simple and smooth, from eighteen inches to two 

 feet high ; leaves one-third of an inch wide, pale green, the sheaths 

 somewhat inflated Panicle spike-like, • oval ; glumes boat-shaped, 

 entire at the point, yellowish green ; flowering glume and palea 

 hairy. 



Grows about houses where the seeds have been scattered. 

 Flowers from July to September. Cultivated occasionally for the 

 seed, which is considered the best food for Canary birds. Hon. J. 

 S. Gould says that cattle are very fond of it when it is young, but 

 the yield is too small to be profitable. 



07. Phalaris arundinacea, Linneus. 

 Phal'-a-iis a-run-di-na! -ce-a. 



PLATE XXXV. 



Common Names. Reed Canarv-Grass, Ribbon Grass. 



Perennial. Stems erect and smooth, from two to four feet high ; 

 leaves one-third of an inch wide, smooth, with rough edges. Panicle 

 from two to five inches long, ovoid, a little spreading when old ; 

 glumes boat-shaped, obtusely keeled. Wet grounds. Flowers in 

 July. 



In variety pirtn. the leaves are striped with white. This is the 

 common Ribbon-Grass of the gardens, which, if planted in low or 

 wet grounds will change to the original grass again. 



This grass is said to be extensively used in Sweden for fodder, 

 but in this country cattle will not eat it if they can get anything 



