982 



THE GRASS FAMILY. 



pairs is usually an inner glume smaller 

 than the central one, either empty or 

 enclosing a male or rudimentary flower. 

 In moist meadows, and pastures, in 

 central and southern Europe, extend- 

 ing eastward all across Russian Asia 

 and northward to southern Scandi- 

 navia. Frequent in England and Ire- 

 land, but scarcely extending into Scot- 

 land. Fl. early summer. 



Fig. 1191, 



3. Wall Barley. Hordeum murinum, Linn. (Fig. 1192.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1971.) 



A rather coarse, tufted Grass, the 

 stems decumbent at the base, 1 to 2 feet 

 long. Leaves often hairy. Spike dense 

 and cylindrical, 3 or 4 inches long, 

 thickly beset with the long rough awns. 

 Outer glumes of the 3 spikelets all awn- 

 like, but those of the central spikelet 

 somewhat broader at the base and cili- 

 ate. Inner glume of each spikelet lan- 

 ceolate and rolled inwards at the base, 

 ending in a long awn ; that of the central 

 spikelet enclosing a perfect flower and 

 a short awn-like empty glume at the 

 back of the palea; those of the lateral 

 ones empty or with a very imperfect 

 male flower. 



In waste places, on roadsides, etc., in 

 central and southern Europe and west- 

 ern Asia, extending northwards to southern Scandinavia, and now 

 naturalized in many parts of the world. Frequent in the greater part of 

 England and Ireland, but rare or local in Scotland. Fl. all summer. 



Fig. 1192. 



