GRAMINE/K. 



969 



inwards on the edges, and almost subu- 

 late. Panicle spreading, but not above 

 2 or 3 inches long ; the spikelets much 

 fewer than in the tufted A., but longer, 

 being usually 2 to 3 lines long, very 

 shining, with the fine, hair-like awns 

 protruding beyond the glumes. 



On heaths and hilly pastures, through- 

 out Europe and Russian Asia, excepting 

 some of the southern districts, in North 

 America, and in Antarctic South Ame- 

 rica. Generally distributed over Britain. 

 Fl. summer. 



3. Grey Air a. Air a canescens, L 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1190. Corynepliorus, 



A small, tufted perennial, of a glaucous 

 or slightly purplish tinge, seldom above 

 6 inches high, with fine convolute leaves. 

 Panicle dense and narrow, 1 to 2 inches 

 long. Spikelets about 2 lines long, the 

 outer glumes pointed, quite concealing 

 the small flowering ones. These are 

 remarkable for their awns, which are 

 jointed in the middle, with a tuft of 

 minute hairs at the joint, and slightly 

 thickened towards the top, the whole 

 awn not projecting beyond the outer 

 glumes. 



In sandy situations, in central and 

 southern Europe, extending eastward to 

 the Caucasus, and northward to south- 

 ern Scandinavia. In Britain, only 

 known for certain on the sandy seacoasts 

 of Norfolk and Suffolk, and in the Chan- 

 nel Islands. Fl. summer. 



Fig. 1175. 



inn 

 Bab 



(Kg. 

 . Man 



1176.) 



) 



Fig. 1176. 



4. Early Aira. Aira prsecox, Linn. (Fig. 1177.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1296.) 

 A slender, densely tufted annual, 3 to 6 inches high, with short, very 



