Localities. — In ilry pastures, parks, ami lawns, everywhere. 
Perennial. — Flowers in June and July. 
Root fibrous, tufted. Culms f stems ) several, from a foot to 18 
inches high, simple, upright, rigid, slender, round, smooth and even, 
having 3 or 4 joints. Leaves bright green, narrow, flat, smooth on 
both sides, scarcely rough at the margins. Sheaths long, striated, 
smooth. Stipula ( ligulej short, slender, blunt, cloven. Panicle 
spike-like, upright, rigid, strap-shaped, blunt, about 2 inches long, 
with a wavy, rough rachis or stalk. Involucrums (fig. 2.) beauti- 
fully pectinated (toothed like a comb), one at the base of each 
spikelet, their divisions long and awi-shaped, greenish, a little 
curved, and rough with minute teeth, which point upwards. Spike- 
lets from 3- to 5-flowered. Glumes ( valves of the calyx J (fig. 3.) 
spear-shaped, nearly equal, membranous, rough at the keel, as long 
as the floret. Outer Palea ( valve of the corolla ) (fig. 4.) spear- 
shaped, obscurely nerved, green, scabrous, especially at the keel, 
terminating in a short, rough awn : Inner Palea white, bifid, pu- 
bescent at the angles of the fold. Anthers (fig. 4, 6.) prominent, 
pendulous, purple. Styles naked at the base. Seed elliptic-oblong, 
pointed, filling the valves of the corolla. 
A variety has been observed with a 4-cornered spike ; and, 
another variety, in which the spike is viviperous, is very frequently 
met with, especially in wet seasons. 
This grass is to be met with in abundance on high and exposed situations, and 
in pastures properly so called, in most parts of England ; “ for it will continue 
permanent,” Mr. Sinclair observes, “ in very dry sandy soils, as well as in 
every gradation of soil from that to the stagnant bog. It arrives at the greatest 
perfection in soils of a medium quality as to moisture and dryness ; in irrigated 
meadows, judiciously formed so that the water cannot stagnate, the Crested 
Dog’s-tail-grass attains to the largest growth. The produce of early herbage in 
the Spring isinfeiiorto most other grasses in weight, although its hardy nature, 
by giving it a superior verdure, may deceive the casual observer in this respect. 
It forms a dense close sward when combined with other essential grasses ; and a 
superior permanent pasture cannot be formed without a proportion of it being 
allowed, according to the natuie of the soil. In all the most celebrated pastures 
we have examined, it constituted a considerable portion of the produce.” — 
The culms are of a wiry nature, being remarkably hard and tough, and as they 
shoot up at a season when the leaves of all the grasses are very plentiful, they 
are not cropped by cattle, but are suffered for the most part to perfect their 
seeds, which keep firm in the husks, and are not easily shed; and hence it is 
that in Winter, when the ground is covered with snow, we see the seed spikes of 
this grass above its surface, attracting groups of partridges, pigeons, and smaller 
birds generally, at a season when their food is very scarce. See Baxter’s Lib . 
of Agricul. and Horticul . Knowledge. 
The culms of the crested Dog’s-tail-grass are considered amongst 
the very best of the British Grasses that yield a material for the 
manufacture of plat for Leghorn bonnets and hats. A list of the 
British Grasses which have been found most suitable for the pur- 
pose of making this plat, together with the method of preparing 
them for use, &c. may be seen in Sinclair’s Ilorlus Gramineus 
Woburnensis, and Corbett's Cottage Economy. 
THE GRASSES. 
“ By these both man and beast ate fed: by these 
The herds fatten, and with encumbeied 
Bodies ruminate supine amid 
l he rich luxur’ant herbage ; hence flow from 
Wide distended udders, nutritious 
And milky streams,” 
