GRAMINA 
23 
panicles from the loT^est nodes in all but weak Rtems, Barren shoots 
none. Sheaths sliijhtly rough, the lower ones shorter than, the upper 
ones longer than their leaves. Ligule prominent, rather blnnt, longer 
than the diameter of the stem. Longest leaves 3 to 4 inches long by 
i inch broad; the uppermost leaves, especially on the branches, 
under an inch long. Panicle 1 to 4 inches long, more lax than in any 
of the other British species of Alopecurus. Glumes, exclusive of the 
awn, about -S- inch long, green, with darker bands along the ribs, ulti- 
mately usually tinged with red or purple on the outside, and often 
with a purplish-brown spot at tlie apex. Keel of the glumes broadest 
about one-fourth from the apex, and narrowing off from that point 
both to the apex and to the base, where it disappears. Awns slender, 
rough, exserted for about the length of the spikelet. Anthers yellow- 
ish-white or purple. 
The stems sometimes, when growing in barren ground, are slightly 
decumbent and geniculate at the base, but the habit of the stems 
resembles that of the canary-grass more than it does the other species 
of Alopecurus. 
Slender Fox-tail Grass. 
rreT3ch, Yiilirni des clamps. German, Acler-Fucli^sclaranz. 
This is an agrarian species, well known, under the name of Black Grass, as a 
common and detested weed in the poor exhausted arable field. 
SPECIES n.-ALOPECUIlUS PALUSTRIS. 
Plates IMDCC. MDCCI. MDCCII. 
Perennial. Stems more or less geniculate, usually decumbent, and 
often rooting at the basal joints, simple or branched from the lower 
knots. Leaves thin, ydt\\ numerous distant slightly-raised ribs, or 
rather thick, with a few greatly -raised ones, green, usually slightly 
glaucous. Ligule prominent, longer than broad. Panicle cylindrical or 
fusiform-cvHndrical ; panicle branches with 2 to 7 florets. Spikelcts 
oblong. Glumes united only at tlie very base or entirely free, obtuse 
or acute, more or less divergent at the apex, move or less pubescent ; 
keel not whiged, ciliated with long hairs throughout, or rarely only 
in the lower half. Awn from near the middle or the base of the pale, 
as long as, or twice as long as tlie glumes. Anthers broadly or 
naiTowlv oblong. 
Sr:ii-Si-i:ri;:s I.— AlopeCTlTUS folVUS. Sui. 
Plats ilDCG. 
7?/' FI. 'lorin. et Kdv. Vol. I. Tab. CLIiXVTTI. Fi,!-. \: ' 
],:r..r^ Fl. G -.n. ct Germ. Exsicc. Xo. 'Ih)-). 
Siruis g;.-niculate, decumbent and rooting at r\\ 
