306 
HABITS AND LATIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 
ing to purple and brown,” is frequently found on the leaves ; also Xyloma alneum , 
44 single, roundish, crowded, blackand Dotkided alnea , figured in Grev. Scot. 
Crypt., 146,2. Horses, Cows, Goats, and Sheep browse on Alder. Swine refuse 
it. The leaves, when eaten by Cows, are reputed to increase their milk. If 
planted in a low meadow, the ground surrounding it will become boggy; whereas 
if Ash be planted, the roots of which penetrate a great way, and run near the 
surface, the ground will become firm and dry. In Japan the cones are used to 
dye black, and sold ready dried. The branches serve to make charcoal, and the 
knots of the trunk are beautifully veined, and used by cabinet-makers. Theo¬ 
phrastus mentions the uses of the bark for dying skins, as does Pliny the 
durability of the wood for piles and water-pipes. Mr. Gray asserts the inner 
bark to be purgative. Some of the largest trees of this description in England 
are reported by Gilpin to grow at Bishop’s-Aukland, Durham. From their 
indestructibility in moisture, and natural situation, few trees are more frequently 
discovered beneath the surface of the earth than the Alder. The wonderful 
appearances of prostrate forests of different kinds of trees occasionally presented 
to view, have induced many interesting speculations as to their history. 
Alopecurus. — AXmrexvgos, from AAw9n?|, a Fox, and «£«, a tail, in allusion to 
the form of the spike. 
Alopecurus pratensis, Meadow Fox-tail Grass.—This is one of our very best 
Grasses for permanent pasture, being early, plentiful in produce, and grateful to 
cattle in general. It has the power of vegetating very quickly, and will bear to 
be cut twice a year to advantage. It naturally prefers a moist soil, and is best 
adapted for the improvement of such wet meadows as have been drained of their 
superfluous moisture, where, if due attention be paid in its introduction, it soon 
forms itself into a close thick turf, and from its rapidity of growth will maintain 
itself against many of the more powerfully creeping kinds. Mr. Sinclair informs 
us, in his very excellent and valuable work, Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis , 
that this Grass forms part of the produce of all the richest pastures he had 
examined in Lincolnshire, Devonshire, and in the Vale of Aylesbury; and that 
he found it still more prevalent in Mr. Westcar’s celebrated pastures at Creslew 
than in those of Lincolnshire and Devonshire. 
For a curious account of the larva of a species of Fly which feeds upon the 
seeds, and is again fed upon and kept within bounds by Cimex campestris , see 
Withering’s note, and Baxter’s British Flowering Plants. 
Alopecurus agrestis , Slender Fox-tail Grass.—A very troublesome weed in 
many places amongst Wheat, and execrated by the farmers under the name of 
44 Black Bent,” or 44 Spear-grass.” It is most prevalent in beggared soils, and will 
bear to be cut down repeatedly in the same season. The best remedy is careful 
husbandry, and bringing the land into 44 good heart.” The herbage is compara- 
