150 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
&c." Alopecurus pratensis, Meadow Foxtail Grass, locally common ; 
is good for permanent pastures, and is eaten by most cattle. 
Phleum pratense, common Timothy Grass, very common in our 
meadows, and too gross for grazing except when young, is valued 
for hay and permanent pasture. Dactylis glomerata, Rough Cocks- 
foot Grass, very common, is well known by its large panicle, 
divided into dense globular tufts of flowerheads. As a pasture 
grass it is perhaps one of our most valuable ; very productive and 
highly nutritive when grown in a light porous soil, but of little 
value in cold dry land. Agrostis vulgaris, common Bent Grass, 
common in dry places, is useful for sheep on commons and cliff 
sides, where other grasses will not thrive. It grows early. In 
similar dry places is the stoloniferous variety of the closely-allied 
species, Agrostis alba, Creeping Bent Grass ; also very valuable 
from its spreading habit in permanent pastures, as well as for 
making into hay. Cynosurus cristatus, Crested Dogstail Grass, 
very common, is a third grass, useful especially for dry pasture and 
sheep. Festuca ovina, Sheep's Fescue Grass, locally common, is a 
fourth grass which nourishes in dry, sandy places. Aira flexuosa, 
Heath-hair Grass, common on and near the moors, is a fifth ; and 
Aira caryophyllea, Silvery-hair Grass, is a sixth grass, having dry, 
sandy places for its habitat. 
We might have supposed the derivation of the word "Sheepstor" 
for that well-known parish near here, to be from sheep doing well 
on its tor, as on other tors. The name was, however, anciently 
written " Schitestor," or "Shittor." 
Briza media, common Quaking Grass, is rather rare, although 
well known. It is a useful nutritive grass when cultivated in any 
poor soil ; but does not appear to be so valuable in rich, highly- 
manured meadows. It is a favourite grass with cattle, and, from 
its putting out numerous leaves, is a profitable grass. Poa aquatica, 
Reed Meadow Grass, of great service for cattle as a tender and 
succulent grass, is quite absent from our Flora, because we have 
few stagnant watery places. Poa trivialis, Rough Meadow Grass, 
is very common, and in rich meadow land very valuable for cattle. 
Lolium perenne, Perennial Rye Grass, very common, is well known 
to be of great value. It comes to perfection early in the season, 
produces a good supply of herbage, and an abundance of seed. It 
is a favourite food of most cattle, and contains a large proportion 
of nutritive matter. 
