Agrostis.] LXXXIX. GRAMINE^]. 519 



In fields and sandy pastures, in Europe and Russian Asia, from the 

 Mediterranean to the Arctic regions. In Britain, confined to some of 

 the eastern counties of England, from York to Hampshire. Fl. summer. 

 The A. interrupta, Beau v., is a slight variety, with the spikelets more 

 crowded, in a narrow panicle, with nearly erect branches. The anthers 

 are also said to be shorter, but that character is very variable. It is 

 often found with the common form passing gradually into it. 



XIV. GASTRIDIUM. NITGRASS. 



A single species, separated from Agrostis on account of the smooth, 

 shining, enlarged base of the outer glumes. 



1. G. lendigerum, Beauv. (fig. 1187). Nitgrass. — An elegant, erect 

 annual, 6 to 8 inches high, with flat leaves. Panicle contracted into 

 a loose tapering spike, 2 to 3 inches long, of a pale green, shining with 

 a satiny or silvery lustre. Spikelet very crowded. Outer glumes nearly 

 2 lines long, narrow, and very pointed, with a short, very shining en- 

 largement at the base, the second glume shorter than the lowest. 

 Flowering glume very short, broad, and thin, often bearing below the 

 summit an awn about the length of the outer glume, but as often with- 

 out it. Palea nearly as long. 



In fields and waste places, especially near the sea, but occasionally 

 also inland along the valleys of large rivers. Very common in the 

 Mediterranean region, extending up western France, and in Britain, to 

 South Wales, Warwickshire, and Norfolk. FL summer. 



XV. PSAMMA. MARAM. 



A single species, sometimes united with Calamagroslis, but more 

 frequently considered as a distinct genus, characterised by the in- 

 florescence, the firmer consistence of the glumes, without any awn to 

 the flowering one. 



1. P. arenaria, Beauv. (fig. 1188). Maram, Sea Matweed. — Root- 

 stock creeping. Stems stiff, erect, 2 to 3 feet high, with narrow, 

 stiff, erect, and glaucous leaves, concave, or rolled inwards on their 

 edges. Panicle contracted into a close, narrow-cylindrical spike, 5 or 6 

 inches long, tapering to the top. Spikelets crowded, 4 or 5 lines long, 

 the outer glumes lanceolate, compressed, stiff, and chaffy. Flowering 

 glume rather shorter, but equally stiff, with a tuft of hairs outside on 

 the axis of the spikelet. Palea nearly as long, with a minute hairy 

 bristle, or prolongation of the axis at its base. Ammophila arundinacca, 

 Host. 



On maritime sands, common on all the coasts of Europe, except the 

 extreme north, and in North America. Frequent on the British sea- 

 coasts. Fl. summer. [P. baltica, R. and S., is a variety or closely allied 

 species found on the Norfolk and Northumberland coasts, with a larger 

 interrupted panicle and more lanceolate and acuminate glumes.] 



