†† _Sections rounded--elliptical or nearly circular. Sheath distinctly split, at least above._ _Cynosurus cristatus_, L. (Crested Dog’s-tail). Useful as pasture on dry soils, but only moderately so as hay. Blade narrow, slightly eared or collared below, tapered above; firmer than _Lolium_. Sheath only split a short way down. Yellow or yellowish-white at the base. Leaves conduplicate or convolute, short and narrow, the ligule short: minute ears at base. Usually easily recognised by the withered culms and persistent pectinate spikes (Fig. 16). _Festuca elatior_, L. (Meadow Fescue). A valuable meadow and pasture grass, though somewhat coarse. Several varieties are known. Best on heavy soils. Deep rooted. Blade flat and broad, conduplicate, sharp-eared at the base, and there rough at the margin: lower surface polished. Rich green. Mid-rib flat above, numerous ribs with white lines between if held up and examined with a lens. Ligule obsolete (Figs. 12 and 17). _Arundo Phragmites_, L. (Common Reed). A large aquatic, reed-like creeping grass, with broad leaves (3/4 to 1 in.), flat, rather rigid, acuminate, glaucous below, hispid at edges. Sheath smooth, striate, bearded at mouth. Ligule a mere fringe of hair. (Cf. _Digraphis_, p. 54.) _Cynosurus_ is not very liable to confusion; but it has resemblances to _Lolium_ (see p. 49) and to species of _Agrostis_. The leaves of _Cynosurus_ are firmer, thicker, less dry, and with a shining undersurface, and the sheath is only split above, and yellow below; whereas _Agrostis_ has relatively thin and dry leaves, rough surfaces and margin, distinct ridges, and converging margins as the blade nears the sheath. _Festuca elatior_ is easily confused with the glabrous Bromes. For _B. giganteus_ see p. 43. _Bromus erectus_ is distinguished by the entire sheath, usually hairy, the want of auricles, and the conduplicate--not convolute--leaves. _Agrostis_ has thinner, duller, and drier leaves, and no red sheath. _Alopecurus pratensis_ has more depressed, flatter and broader ridges than _Festuca_, and a longer ligule, and lacks the pointed ears. ** _Ligule whitish, membranous, long, or at least well developed. Sheaths not coloured or brown. Leaves thin and rough, at least at the base. Ridges not very prominent, but numerous and distinct._ _Agrostis stolonifera_, L. (Fiorin). Stolons, with numerous short offsets bursting through the leaf-sheaths. Blade flat, rough, tapering, with rounded ridges, and convolute in bud: there are no auricles, but the blade may narrow, and form ledges, as it runs into the sheath. Sheaths nearly smooth. Ligule long and pointed, and often toothed at the margins. The leaves vary in breadth.