64 THE GRASSES OF MAINE. 



from Pennsylvania were analyzed at Washington, and gave ash 7.50, 

 fat 2.71, nitrogen-free extract 55.78, crude fiber 24.52, albuminoids 

 9.45. 



Genus Andropogon, Linneus. 

 An-dro-po'-gon. 



From the Greek, aner, man, and pogon, a beard, in allusion to 

 the hairj flowers. 



Spikelets arranged in simple or panicled spikes. Spikelets in 

 pairs in the alternate notches of the rhachis, one sessile and perfect, 

 the other pedieeled and staminate or neuter. Fertile spikelet with 

 two more or less coriaceous glumes and with the palea awned at the 

 tip. 



Spikes two to live from one point (digitate). ... A. furcatus. 



Spikes distinct, not from one point. A scoparius. 



80. vVndropogon furcatus, Muhlenberg. 



An-dro-po'-go fur-ca-tus. 



PLATE XLL 



Common Names. Blue Stem, Finger-Spiked Wood-Grass. 



Perennial. Stems erect, from three to four feet high, the naked 

 top of the stem terminated by from two to five rigid spikes. 

 Spikelets approximate, appressed ; hairs at the base of the fertile 

 spikelet, on the rhachis and on the stout pedicel of the awnless 

 staminate spikelet, short and rather sparse ; awn of the fertile 

 flower long and bent. 



Grows in dry, sterile soils, and flowers in August and September. 



This species has not been cultivated in this State, but Dr. Vasey 

 states that it is abundant on the prairies of the West, where it is 

 one of the principal hay grasses of the country, aud is extensively 

 cut and cured for winter use. An analysis of specimens from Penn- 

 sylvania, gave ash 13.53, fat 2.47, nitrogen-free extract 51.97, crude 

 fiber 27.04, albuminoids 4.99. 



