GEAMINE7E. 961 



XIII. AGROSTIS. AGROSTIS. 



Spikelets small, 1-flowered, and numerous, in an elegant panicle, 

 with slender branches often proceeding several from the same point, 

 and either erect, forming a narrow, almost spike-like, but loose panicle, 

 or spreading, at least at the moment of flowering. Outer glume3 

 narrow, boat-shaped, pointed, but without awns. Flowering glume 

 shorter, often bearing a fine straight awn on the back below the middle. 

 Palea much smaller or altogether wanting. The axis of the spikelet 

 within the outer glumes glabrous or very shortly hairy. 



A considerable genus, widely distributed over the surface of the 

 globe, and (if made to include the exotic Vilfa and Sporobolus) a. well- 

 marked one. Some species are commonly called Bents in some parts 

 of the country, a name given by others more especially to the crested 

 Dog's-tail. 



Awn 2 to 4 times as long as the spikelets. Second glume 



longer than the lowest 4. Silky A. 



Awn none, or not twice as long as the spikelet. Outer glumes 

 equal or the lowest the longest. 

 Leaves flat (broad or narrow). 



Flowering glume awnless or with a very short awn at its 



base. Palea about half its length 1. Common A. 



Flowering glume with a short awn below the middle. 



Palea minute or none 2. Broivn A. 



Leaves very fine and subulate 3. Bristle A. 



1. Common Agrostis. Agrostis alba, Linn. (Fig. 1165.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1189, A. stolonifera, t. 1532, and A. vulgaris, t. 1671.) 



An elegant but most variable perennial grass ; in dry mountain 

 pastures often densely tufted, and not above 2 or 3 inches high ; in rich 

 moist soils creeping and rooting at the base, often to a considerable 

 extent ; the flowering stems erect, 1 to 2 feet high, with a slender 

 panicle usually very spreading when in full flower, especially in fine 

 weather, sometimes contracted both before and after flowering. Leaves 

 flat, rather short, but narrow. Spikelets scarcely a line long. Outer 

 glumes nearly equal or the lowest rather the largest. Flowering glume 

 very thin, awnless or rarely with a minute awn arising from its base. 

 Palea usually a little less than half its length. 



In pastures and waste places, wet or dry, throughout Europe, Eus- 

 sian and central Asia, and northern America, penetrating far into the 

 Arctic regions, and ascending high upon alpine summits, and reappearing 



VOL. II. 2 N 



