372 History of a Sod. 
So far for the pure history of the sod; now for its botany. 
Those who have never taken the pains to examine the herbage of 
a sod, will be disposed to believe all grass to be pretty much the 
same, if indeed a difference be admitted at all. We believe very 
few are really aware of the number and beauty of the species 
which may be, and often are, contained within an area to which a 
hat would form an ample tent. Mr. Curtis, well known for his 
various works on natural history and botany, tried a curious ex- 
periment with the assistance of a friend. Sods of grass six inches 
only in diameter were cut from nine different places in Hampshire 
and Sussex, and were selected indiscriminately from the spots 
w^hence they were removed. They were than planted in Mr. 
Curtis's garden where they thrived luxuriantly. On being exa- 
mined, the following interesting discovery was made: One piece 
of sod from Selborn Coxnmon, six inches diameter, containedybwr- 
teen different species of grass; and, singular enough, a similar sod 
from Ringmer Down contained an equal number. Others bore 
respectively nine, seven, six, and five species — none contained 
fewer than three. Who has not inhaled with pleasure the sweet 
perfume of new hay? This perfume is due to the presence of the 
Anthoxanthum odorafum (sweet-scented vernal grass). Even the 
green leaves of this graceful grass readily impart this perfume to 
the fingers by which they are bruised. Another species somewhat 
like it in appearance is the fox-tail grass; but it is more coarse 
in foliage, and is destitute of the fragrant odor of the former. 
Another, and a more elegant species, is the well-known, almost 
ubiquitous, Poa pratensis, which springs up alike on our old walls 
and on the fostering bosom of our fertile pastures. Every one 
must have admired the beautifully fine hair-like grass which clothes 
the surface of our dry heaths, downs, and sheep-walks — a grass 
upon whose velvet-like surface the foot is seldom weary of rest- 
ing. This grass is called the JIgrostic capillaris, in evident allu- 
sion to its character; and being admirably constituted so as to 
endure heat and drouth, it furnishes a valuable food to the moun- 
tain-fed sheep, that would otherwise be altogether destitute at 
such seasons, or could feed only in the sheltered valleys of these 
regions. Another grass equally adapted for a peculiar situation, 
and almost certain to be found in our lump of sod, if it was taken 
from the hard bosom of a northern limestone rock, is called the 
blue dog's-tail grass; and for such situations as it is found in it is 
well adapted, from its at all times affording sheep a tolerable fair 
pasture. Beside these, there are probably in our sod the curious, 
inconstant, yet common grass called rye-grass, or Lolium perenney 
of the most vigorous growth, and in rich meadows greedily con- 
sumed by cattle. Mr. Curtis says that this grass appears to vary 
ad irifinitum even in its wild state: he had seen a variety of it 
