200 
TRIANDRIA. DIGYNIA. Lolium. 
L. temulen'tum. Spikets awned, compressed, many-flowered; not 
longer than the calyx., straw rough. 
Sckreb.36 — FI. Dan. 160 —( Hort. Gram.—E. Bot. 1124. E.)— Leers 12. 2— 
H. Ox. viii. 2. row 2. 1. n. 2 — Dod. 53S ■— Lob. Ohs. 21. 2 — Ger. Em. 78. 
1—Park. 1145. 1— Ger. 71— C, B. Th. 121— Mus. Rust. vi. 1. 1— 
Scheuch. 1. 7. E, F — Mont. 18. 
{Inner petal awnless, concave, a little fringed. FI. Brit. E.) Straw rough 
upwards (two feet high. E.) Leaves rough when stroked downwards 
(brighter green than those of the preceding. E.) Spike four to six 
inches long, rough. Awns longer than the blossom. Terminal 
spiket with a two-leaved calyx, and the lowermost spikets have a minute 
inner leaf to the calyx. 
(Bearded Darnel. Welsh: Efryn coliog ; Yd meddw. E.) Ploughed 
lands, mostly among barley and flax (a very troublesome weed among 
wheat in Norfolk and Suffolk. Mr. Woodward.—Also at Rhil, in the 
parish of Ithyddlan, Flintshire. Mr. Griffith. Anglesey. Welsh Bot. E.) 
A. July—Aug.* * 
L. arven'se. Spikets nearly awnless, rather shorter than the calyx: 
calyx two-valved: straw smooth : (florets elliptical. E.) 
(E. Bot. 1125. E.)— II. Ox. viii. 2. row 2. 1 . n. 1 — Matth. 411 — J. B. ii. 437. 
(Rather smaller than the preceding, but sometimes, when growing among 
wheat, drawn up to the height of three or four feet. E.) Whole plant 
smooth, except the leaves, which are rough when stroked downwards. 
Leaves broad. Spike six to twelve inches or more in length. Spiket six- 
flowered. Calyx outer valve strong, hard, longer than the spiket; inner 
valve much smaller and finer in its texture. Blossom awnless, larger 
valve with one or two long and soft hairs at the end.—(Smith describes 
this plant as haring a calyx generally with only one valve. Spikets as 
long as the cup, or a little longer. Blossom, though at first view awnless, 
on further inspection sometimes showing a very short awn. We learn 
have been cultivated prior to 1681. Though in some respects advantageous for cultiva¬ 
tion, the lattermath is defective. All circumstances considered, Mr. Sinclair seems to 
recommend in preference, both as to produce and nutritive powers, Dactylisglo- 
merata, (Cock’s Foot Grass), and perhaps likewise, Alopecurus pratensis, (Meadow Fox¬ 
tail), and Festuca pratensis , (Meadow Fescue). The peculiar advantages promised from 
certain modern varieties may probably sustain the falling credit of Rye Grass. E.) 
* The seeds, mixed with bread-corn, produce but little effect, unless the bread be 
eaten hot; but if malted with barley, the ale soon occasions intoxication. Linn. (The 
laws of China make it a capital offence to use them in fermented liquors; and yet in 
the immediate vicinity of London, this noxious weed is cultivated by the acre, and it 
is to be apprehended for no better purpose. E.) Made into bread, with a small 
portion of wheat, and eaten repeatedly, they produced vomiting, violent colics, and 
death. Month. Rev. v. 67. p. 559. Sheep are not fond of it. (By some (among whom 
Prof. Mariyn) supposed to be the real Darnel of the ancients, the opprobrium of agri¬ 
culture a thousand years ago, 
“-Interque nilentia culta 
Infelix lolium et steriles dominantur aver)®.” Virg. Georg. 1.153. 
In like terms, Bucol. 5. 37. 
though, perhaps in Britain some other weeds are more deserving of general execration; 
and have, therefore, incurred the same name (as Bromus sscalimts and mollis ), tending 
only to perpetuate confusion. Never being found beyond the precincts of tillage fields, 
Mr. Sinclair conjectures it may originally have been imported with grain from 
warmer climates. F>.) 
