18 
EXGLISII BOTANY. 
In meadows, pastures, woods, &c. Very common, and generally 
distributed. Var. 3 less common, but still very frequent. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Early Summer to 
Autumn. 
Eootstock tufted, not creeping, producing several or numerous stems. 
Stems simple, 8 inches to 3 feet liigh, erect, from a more or less 
geniculate base, smooth or sometimes slightly roudi in var. 3. Leaves 
of the autumnal barren shoots lono-cr than those on the flowering 
stems, oiten 1 foot long, very similar to those of Ilierochloe borealis, 
but with a longer ligule, dull, slightly glaucous green above, with 
nunicroiTs ribs and usually distant hairs, bright green, smooth and 
shining beneath where there is a strong keel as in Ilierochloe borealis, 
but they are veiy slightly rough on the margins ; upjjermost stem-leaf 
-V to 2 inches long (the lower ones a little more), ^^dth a long lanceo- 
late ligule. Panicle 1 to 4 inches long, the larger examples with it 
more distinctly lobed and mtGrru[)ted at the base than it is in the 
smaller. Spikelets very shortly stalked, J inch long, slightly spread- 
ing while in flower. Glumes varying from glabrous with a few cilina 
on the buck to rather densely T)iibescent, pale yellowish-green. Pales 
of the neuter florets notched, both \yith an awn y)rocee(ling from near 
the middle nf> the back; that of the lower neuter floret ctmsiderably 
sht>rter than its pale ; that of the upper about equalling it, and slightly 
bent. Pales of the fertile tlorets shorter than those of the neuter florets, 
and without any awn. Anthers purple or light yellow. Plant with 
the scent of woodrufl' Avhen it is in process of drying, but not odorous 
when fresh like Ilierochloe odorata. 
Sweet-scented Vernal- Grass. 
FroTicIi, F-hn>n' ,.J<.ranie. German, Gcmelnes liuchjras. 
Tills ^pc'jic? is one of our most jrcncrally distributed pasture grasses, occurrin;^ on 
tlie most oxposod mountain rantros, foi-mincr part of every natural meadow, and forming 
turrs in rlie more secluded woods. It i- a ;jra^s wLicli of all othei'S gives tlic pcouliar 
flavour TO meadow liay. Tlil.s exi.rs ia an an^matie principle knovra as roti,>ni,.;,i, 
and thp same that ovists in tlio Woodmff. tho Melilot, and to a still greater 
extent in the cele!)i-atcd Tonquin U-aiu To i he Vernal Grass is due the .sweeter hcent, 
flavov.r, and reli^i of meadow hay wh.on compared with artificial pastiu-e. It is 
common tlirougLout Eiivo^o m^l Asia, and lui.s become natuiulised in the Xew World 
by^tb? trar^p. rr.rirn < f < ur narire grass seeds. 
^ ■ hiced in the linen and clothes presses for the double pur- 
i : i "our and of keeping away moth and other insects. 
^^turrs. its srcd should always form part of the mixed 
