472 
consin, as well as the tfther states in the vicinity. It possesses but little 
agricultural value. It is the sacred grass of many of the Indian tribes 
as well as of our own European ancestors. It might be propagated 
readily by the root, and is perhaps worthy of some experiments to ascer¬ 
tain its efFect in giving an agreeable flavor to milk and butter. 
GENUS 46. ANTHOXANTHUM. Linnceus. 
(Greek —AntJios flower, and anthon, of flowers.) 
Spikelets spike-panicled, three-flowered, the lateral flowers neutral, 
consisting merely of a narrow palea which is hairy on the outside, and 
awned on the back; the central one perfect, of two awnless paleae and 
two stamens; glumes very thin acute, keeled; the upper about as long 
as the flowers, twice the length of the lower ; scales none ; grain ovate, 
adherent to the inclosing paleae. 
115. Anthoxantiium Odoratum. Linnceus. 
Sweet-scented vernal-grass. 
Panicle spiked, the spikelets spreading ; one of the neutral flowers 
hearing a bent awn from near its base, the other short-awned below the 
tip. Perennial; flowers in May, June and July. Culms 12 to 18 inches 
high. Introduced from Europe and naturalized, but seldom cultivated. 
Wisconsin, Ohio. 
In the humid climate of England the sweet-scented vernal-grass con¬ 
stitutes a part of the herbage of pastures on almost every kind of soil. 
It thrives best when combined with many different speoies, and is there¬ 
fore adapted to permanent pastures; though not particularly liked by 
cattle it is eaten in pastures in common with other grasses. The chemical 
examination of its nutritive matter, shows that it does not abound in 
saccharine matter, but chiefly in mucilage; and the insoluble extract is 
in greater proportion than in many other grasses. Its merits however 
in respect to early growth, continuing to vegetate and throw up flower¬ 
ing stalks until the end of autumn, and its hardy and permanent nature 
sufficiently uphold its claim to a place in the composition of all per¬ 
manent pastures.* When newly cut it emits a very pleasant fragrance, 
(hence its name;) and a writer in the Patent Office Report for 1849-50, 
attempts to show that the peculiarly delicate flavor of the butter of cer- 
* Sinclair, Hort. Gram. Woburnensis, p. 135. 
