514 THE GRASS FAMILY. [Phleum. 



last, but usually of much lower stature; the sheaths of the upper 

 leaves very loose or inflated. Spike ovoid or oblong, seldom an inch 

 long, usually assuming a purplish hue. Outer glumes truncate as in P. 

 pratense, but the keel lengthened into an awn, varying from 1 to 2 lines 

 in length. 



In alpine pastures, in northern and Arctic Europe, Asia, and America, 

 and in their mountain chains, reappearing in Antartic America. In 

 Britain, only in the higher Scottish mountains. Fl. summer, 



3. P. Boehmeri, Schrad. (fig. 1172). Boehmer's P. — An erect peren- 

 nial, like P. pratense, but usually smaller, with shorter leaves, the sheaths 

 not enlarged. Spike cylindrical, 1 to 3 inches long, not quite so dense 

 as in P. pratense. Outer glumes narrow-lanceolate, tapering into a 

 minute point, without hairs on the keel, and with a narrow, scarious 

 edge. Flowering glume much smaller. Palea with a minute bristle at 

 its base outside. P. phalaroides, Koel. 



In dry fields, and waste places, generally dispersed over Europe and 

 Russian Asia, except the extreme north. Rare in Britain and chiefly 

 found in the eastern counties of England. Fl. summer, rather early. 



4. P. asperum, Jacq. (fig. 1173). Rough P. — An annual, 6 to 12 inches 

 high, with a cylindrical spike like that of P. Boehmeri, but the spike- 

 lets are smaller and more numerous. Outer glumes less than a line 

 long, of a firm texture, smooth or scarcely rough, narrow at the base, 

 enlarged upwards, and contracted rather suddenly into a very short 

 point, the lateral nerves scarcely prominent. Flowering glume very 

 small. 



In dry fields, and waste places, in central and southern Europe, ex- 

 tending eastward to the Caucasus, and northward into eastern France 

 and central Germany. Rare in Britain, where it has been found casually, 

 chiefly in the eastern counties. Fl. summer. 



5. P. arenarium, Linn. (fig. 1174). Sand P. — An erect annual, 6 to 

 8 inches high, with short leaves. Spike f to 1J inches long, dense and 

 nearly cylindrical, but more or less tapering at the base. Spikelets 

 about 1J lines long. Outer glumes lanceolate, tapering into a short 

 point ; the keel ciliate with stiff hairs, and a very prominent nerve on 

 each side. Flowering glume not one-third the length of the outer 

 ones. 



In maritime sands, chiefly in western Europe, extending, however, 

 far along the shores of the Baltic in the north, and the Mediterranean 

 in the south. Common on the coasts of England and Ireland, but only 

 in the east of Scotland. Fl. spring and early summer. 



IX. ALOPECURUS. FOXTAIL. 



Spikelets 1- flowered, flat, and densely crowded into a cylindrical 

 spike or spike-like panicle. Outer glumes boat-shaped, with a promi- 

 nent keel, but not awned. Flowering glume shorter, with a very 

 slender awn inserted on the back (sometimes concealed under the 

 outer glumes). Palea entirely wanting. 



A small genus, widely spread over the temperate and colder regions 

 of both the northern and southern hemispheres, resembling Phleum in 

 habit, but easily distinguished by the absence of the palea. 



