By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 



281 



but has little claim to be considered even a naturalized plant.] 



Anthoxanthum, (Linn.) Vernal- grass. 

 Linn. CI. ii. Ord. ii. 

 Name. From (anthos) a flower, and (xanthos) yellow; in allusion 

 to the colour of the spikes. 



1. A. odoratum (Linn.) sweet Vernal-grass. Engl. Bot. t. 647. 

 Tarn. Gr. t. 8. 



Locality. Meadows and pastures, common ; also in woods, where 

 it grows to a much larger size than elsewhere. P. Fl. May, June. 

 Area, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Recorded in all the Districts. Stems slender, 

 rigid, smooth, 1 foot high, with one or two joints. Leaves flat, 

 bright green, a little hairy, each with a white, membranous, sheath- 

 ing stipula. Floivers generally closed, brownish ; turning yellow 

 with age. There are .two forms or varieties (a) with purple anthers 

 in meadows ; (b) with dull yellow anthers in woods. This species is 

 one of our most generally-distributed pasture grasses, forming part 

 of every natural meadow, and forming tufts in our more secluded 

 woods. It is a grass which of all others gives the peculiar flavour 

 to meadow-hay. This exists in an aromatic principle known as 

 Coumarin, and is the same that exists in the Wood-rufF, the Melilot, 

 and to a still greater extent in the celebrated Tonquin-bean. To the 

 Vernal-grass is due the sweeter scent, flavour, and relish of meadow 

 hay when compared with artificial pasture. 



Phleum, (Linn.) CatVtail-grass. 

 Linn. CI. iii., Ord. ii. 



Name. From the Greek phleos, the name of the Saccharuni 

 cylindricum (Lam.) 



1. P. pratense, (Linn.) meadow or common Cat's-tail- grass. 

 Timothy grass. Engl. Bot. t. 1067. Pam. Gr. t. 77 & 78. 



Locality. Meadows and pastures, frequent. P. Fl. June. Area, 

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Recorded in all the Districts. The floivering stems are 

 rigid, erect from a little above the base, and vary from 1 foot to 18 

 inches or more in height, terminating in a long cylindrical, densely 

 spicate inflorescence, 3 to 7 inches in length. The glumes very much 

 compressed, are membranaceous, towards the margin, but with a 



