SO SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL GRASS. 
To the grasses it is that the face of nature is indebted 
for a great portion of its cheerful appearance, and its 
beauty. They constitute the general herbage of every 
country, covering to an immense extent the whole sur- 
face of the ground. They are very various in their 
kinds, the British species alone being nearly a hundred 
and twenty in number. To many species of animals 
their leaves afford an indispensable article of sustenance ; 
and their seed supply food to birds. 
23. SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL GRASS 
(Anthoxanthum odoratum, Fig. 17).* This species is 
usually considered (though it perhaps ought not exclu- 
sively to be so) as that to which the hay fields are in- 
debted for their well-known and delightful fragrance. 
When partially dried it is very odorous; and, if chewed, 
in a recent state, its stalks are highly aromatic, tasting 
not unlike those of fresh lavender. The root has an 
odour somewhat resembling that of musk. A distilled 
water, which serves as a vehicle for some perfumes, is 
occasionally prepared from the leaves and flowers of 
the vernal grass. The dried flowers are employed in 
some parts of the Continent for imparting an agreeable 
flavour to snuff and tobacco. 
The vernal grass is not very productive, and by some 
farmers it is considered not palatable for cattle. Others, 
however, esteem it an useful addition in their meadows ; 
and, from its being generally found in great abundance 
on such pastures as sheep are fond of, and afford excel- 
lent mutton, it is at least thought to be a good grass for 
them. 
considered more advantageous to the reader, to admit, in this 
place, only some of the most important kinds ; and merely to 
speak of their uses, referring to the figures for their further 
illustration. 
* This grass has only two stamens, and consequently belongs 
to the class Diandria, but it is placed here for the sake of 
general uniformity. 
