148 
A CALENDAR OF GRASSES. 
When April leaves are freshly green, 
Then first the Vernal Grass is seen : 
Of all the grasses of the year 
This, sweetest, doth the first appear. 
No laggard in the yearly race 
The Cock’s foot next spurs on apace ; 
And all the lanes in early May 
With M dick-grass are softly gay. 
Then as the springs to summer yield 
What great grass armies take the field ! 
The Meadow Oat stands firm and slight, 
But Briza quivers in the light, 
And Holcus points his purple spear 
Here and there and everywhere. 
The Meadow Poa and the Rough 
Field Drome and Yellow Oat so blithe. 
Short time they live, yet long enough 
To bloom — then perish on the scythe. 
By hedges,. too, ere June has sped 
The False Oat rears his stately head : 
The Straight Brome sways in every wind. 
And Fescues are not far to find : 
Then Lolium when the sun is bright 
Opens all windows to the light, 
And hangs therefrom his streamers white : 
And even on the stony ground 
Barley and Sterile Brome are found. 
Now in the ooze of gentle streams 
Whitely the Floating Poa gleams 
Near where the Foxtail bends the knee : 
And in the later meadows see 
The “ Cynosure of every eye,” 
And Cat-grass named of Timothy. 
Then in the heats of great July, 
By every lane that leads us home 
Falls fountain-like the Hairy Drome, 
And over tufts of yellow green 
The False Drome's slender arc is seen : 
While hedge and ditch and mead alike 
Welcome the frail Agrostis spike. 
