adjoining to Malvern : Mr. Ballard, in With. Bol. Arr. — Isle of Anglesea ; 
Road-side between 'l'yfry and Pennynydd —SCOTLAND. About the Sand- 
hills Toll-cross, Glasgow: Mr. Hopkihx, in Hook. FI. Scot. Sometimes met 
with about Edinburgh : Dr. Grevili.e, in FI. Edinensis. 
Annual. — Flowers from June to September. 
Root fibrous, white. Culm (stem) from 1 to 2 feet or more 
high, upright, round, striated, leafy, swelling a little at the joints, 
and often branching at the lower part. Leaves broad, rough about 
the edges and nerves; somewhat pubescent, strap-spear-shaped, 
pointed, with a long tumid sheath (vagina), and a thin membranous 
blunt stipula (ligula). The sheath of the upper leaf is more tumid 
than that of the lower ones, and envelopes and protects the panicle 
whilst young. Panicle compact, upright, compound, an inch or 
more long, egg-shaped, resembling a simple spike, beautifully 
variegated with green and white. Valves ( glumes ) of the calyx 
(fig. 1.) much longer than the corolla, with 2 green ribs on each 
side, and a deep and sharp keel, which increases towards the sum- 
mit, when it becomes rather suddenly acuminated. Within the 
calyx glumes, and opposite to them, are 2 small spear-shaped 
pointed valves, considered by some Botanists as 2 abortive florets, 
and by others as 2 external valves of the corolla ; these are much 
smaller than the awnless, equal palece, or true valves of the corolla, 
which always remain closed, forming a hard shining coat to the 
seed (figs. 3 & 4.), which is egg-shaped, and of a yellowish, or 
dark brown colour. 
Experiments made upon this Grass by Air. G. Sinclair, author of the 
Hnrtus Gramineus Woburnensis , prove the herbage to be but little nutritive, 
and the plant cannot be recommended for cultivation but for the seeds only, 
which are esteemed the best food for the Canary and other small singing birds ; 
and for this purpose it appears to have been cultivated in England for more than 
300 years. Mr. Knapp, in his excellent work on the British Grasses, pub- 
lished in 1804, informs us that “ the tyranny of the bigotted Philip of Spain, 
and the persecutions of his evil agent the Duke of Alva, expelled from their 
native country many of the industrious inhabitants of the Low-lands, who 
flying from their merciless enemy, sought an asylum under the government of 
these kingdoms, introducing with them the arts of horticulture, and the escu- 
lent vegetables at that day unknown in England ; and by them was first culti- 
vated Phalaris canariensis. The county of Kent * was chosen by the Nether- 
landers as the most favourable soil for their employment, nor do we know that 
the canary-yrass has been attempted to be grown but in that county where 
first introduced by the Low-land emigrants.” 
$ In the Isle of Thanet, Canary is sown the first dry week in February, on 
furrows from 10 to 15 inches apart, (the land being previously made fine and 
light on the surface,) about 4 or 5 gallons per acre, and kept clean by repeated 
hoeings, when necessary, during the summer. It is generally ripe by the be- 
ginning of September. The seed clings remarkably to the husk ; and, in order 
to detach it, the crop must be left a long lime on the ground to receive moisture 
sufficient to destroy the texture of the envelopment, otherwise it would be hardly 
possible to thrash out the seed. The chaff is a roost excellent food for horses. — 
See Boys’ General Vie tv of the Agriculture of the County of Kent. 
