FLOTE FESCUE GRASS. 35 
45. CRESTED DOG'S-TAIL GRASS (Cyno- 
sums cristatus, Fig. 29) is extremely common in mea- 
dows and pastures, and constitutes a principal part of 
the turf, on high gravelly or chalky soils, in parks, 
lawns, and sheep walks : and, from the close and thick 
turf which it makes, it affords good nourishment to cattle 
and deer. Parks that are famous for excellent venison 
contain a great proportion of this grass. In the summer 
time its seeds afford sustenance to pigeons and small 
birds. 
46. SHEEP 9 S FESCUE GRASS (Festuca ovinff, 
Fig. 32) has great celebrity as food for horses and 
cattle, and, in particular, for sheep, which are said to* 
prefer it to all other grasses, and to become fat upon if 
sooner than upon any other. Though of short growth, 
its leaves are numerous and succulent. The Tartars are 
said generally to fix their habitations, during the sum- 
mer, in places where there is the greatest plenty of 
this grass, from its yielding an abundant supply of excel- 
lent food for their cattle. And it has been remarked 
that the sepulchral monuments of the ancient Tartars 
are chiefly observed in situations where Sheep's Fescue 
Grass abounds; this has been considered a test of the 
great value which that people set upon it. 
47. HARD FESCUE GRASS (Festuca duruscula, 
Fig. 30) is common in pastures, meadows, and waste 
grounds. It springs early, affords excellent food for 
all kinds of cattle; and, in good ground, yields a plen- 
tiful crop. 
48. FLOTE FESCUE GRASS (Festuca fuitans, 
Fig. 31). This plant, which grows almost exclusively 
in wet ditches, and in ponds, is so favourite a food of 
horses and swine, that they will sometimes even en- 
danger their lives to obtain it. A farmer, who resided 
some years ago at Ruscomb, in Berkshire, assured. Mr. 
Stillingfleet that he had known a field of four acres 
