0* THE GRAM INEJfe. 



instances, however, living plants are produced from 

 tubera in the panicle itself, without the interven- 

 tion of seeds. I have repeatedly examined these 

 plants, both as they appear on their native moun- 

 tains, and when transplanted into the more genial 

 soil of the garden. Plate fig. 5. represents 



the first shoot from the panicle of a mountain 

 species of Aira, which - seems to be a variety of 

 A. flexuosa of " Flora Britanriica # ." 



This is the general appearance of the first plant 

 of the viviparous spikelet in this species, towards 

 the noddle fof June, on first shooting from the 

 rolled base of the uppermost leatfof the maternal 

 plant. The calycine valves are somewhat en- 

 larged, but never put on the appearance of leaves. 

 In most instances, the external valve of each floret 

 only vegetates, serving as the first and second leaf 

 of the first plant. Plate XIV. fig. 6. represents two 

 plants of a viviparous spikelet of another species 

 of Aira, viz. A. caespitosa, in the month pf July, 

 (from my friend Mr NeilPs gardeifat Canonmills, 

 where it has grown several years without forming- 

 seeds), with a second plant shot by the side of the 

 other, bent down, in order to shew that b.-j-th 

 valves of a floret sometimes remain, like the other 



\ / , ? P 4 



* The specimen in my possession is apparently variety 

 3$ of Flora, Britannica. become viviparous. In most re- 

 spects, the A. levigata, figured as a new species, 2102, 

 English Botany, resembles this grass. 



