REED MEADOW GRASS. 33 
In Ireland it is called fiorin grass,, and, under this 
appellation, it was first introduced to the public notice 
in that country, in the year 1810, by the Rev. Dr. Rich- 
ardson, of Clonfecle, in the county of Antrim. 
39. The MEADOW SOFT GRASS, or YORK- 
SHIRE WHITE GRASS (Rolens lanatus, Fig. 25), 
though it vegetates late in the season, produces an 
' abundant crop, and flourishes well in any moist situation. 
Both its foliage and flowers are soft and woolly. It is 
chiefly calculated for the feeding of sheep, and has 
answered extremely well, when close fed. The hay 
that is made from it is said to be very injurious to 
horses, and it is not much relished by cattle. 
40. CANARY GRASS (Phalaris Canariensis, Fig. 
23). This grass grows wild in Worcestershire, and 
some other parts of England. It is, however, often cul- 
tivated for the sake of its seeds, which are extensively 
used as food for small birds. 
41- PURPLE MELIC GRASS (Melica cterulea, 
Fig. 24-) is found in great luxuriance on the turf moors, 
near Glastonbury, in Somersetshire. The people of that 
neighbourhood make of its stalks a neat kind of besoms, 
which are used as a cheap and tolerably good substitute 
for hair brooms. This grass occurs in the most barren, 
sandy, and boggy situations ; but, more especially, about 
pools upon mountainous heaths. 
42. REED MEADOW GR ASS (Poaaquatica, Fig. 
26) is one of the most useful of the British grasses, 
particularly if grown in wet meadows, or upon the 
banks of rivers or brooks. In the fenny lands of Cam- 
bridgeshire and Lincolnshire it not only affords a rich 
pasturage for cattle in summer, but forms also the chief 
part of their winter sustenance. In situations favourable 
to its growth it sometimes attains the height of five or 
six feet, When cut for hay, it is first dried, then bound 
c 5 
