298 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



Cynosurus (Linn.) Dogs-tail-grass. 

 Linn. CI. iii., Ord. ii. 



Name. From [Kuon, Kunos), a dog, and (oura), a tail; in 

 allusion to the inflorescence, which resembles a dog's tail. 



1. C. cristatus (Linn.) crested Dogs-tail-grass. Engl. Bot. t. 

 316. Parn. Gr. t. 28. 



Locality. Dry pastures and meadows. P. Fl. August. Area, 

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Recorded in all the Districts. Stem 12 to 18 inches 

 high, slender. Leaves narrow, linear, acuminate. Stipula rather 

 short, abrupt. Involucres beautifully pectinate, one at the base of 

 each spikelet, their divisions linear, acute. Spikelets 3 to 5 flowered. 

 Glumes narrow, lanceolate, acute, rough at the keel. A valuable 

 agricultural grass. 



Dactylis (Linn.) Cocks-foot- grass. 

 Linn. CI. iii., Ord. ii. 

 Name. From (dactulos), a finger. From a fancied resemblance 

 in the divisions of the panicle. 



1. D. glomerata (Linn.) closed-spiked Cocks-foot-grass. Engl. 

 Bot. t. 335. Parn. Gr. t. 29. 



Locality. Way-sides, meadows, and woods. P. Fl. June, July. 

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



2 feet high. Leaves rather broadly linear, acuminate, scabrous 

 especially at the edges, which are almost toothed with minute sili- 

 ceous points. Panicle erect, the lower branches distant and spreading, 

 all turned in one direction. Spikelets numerous, closely clustered, 



3 or 4-flowered. Glumes membranaceous, lanceolate, the keel rough 

 or hairy. The general aspect of the inflorescence varies much in 

 different situations, the branches of the panicle being sometimes in 

 poor and exposed pastures so short and close together as to give it 

 the appearance of a single cluster, while in woods the secondary 

 branches even become so much elongated and spreading that it 

 might readily be mistaken for a different species. 



Festuca, (Linn.) Fescue-grass. 

 Linn. CI. iii., Ord. ii. 

 Name. From /est, Celtic,, food or pasturage. 



