TRIANDRIA DIGYNIA. _Generic Character._ _Cal._ 2-valvis, multiflorus. _Spicula_ disticha: valvulis cordatis, obtusis: interiore minuta. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ BRIZA _maxima_ spiculis cordatis, flosculis septendecim. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 115. Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 103._ GRAMEN tremulum maximum. _Bauh. Pin. 2._ PHALARIS pratensis altera. _Pearle Grasse. Ger. emac. p. 87. f. 3._ [Illustration: _N^o. 357_] The Grasses are in general more regarded for utility than ornament, yet in the latter point of view many of them have engaged the attention of the curious, and long held a place in the flower-garden, to which they have a twofold claim, as they not only decorate the garden when fresh, but the mantle-shelf when dry; to these purposes the present species of Briza has long been applied: JOHNSON tells us, in his time, 1633, "it was sowen yearlely in many of the London gardens." This species, a native of Spain and Italy, blossoms in June and July, and ripens its seeds in August. Where it has once seeded it comes up spontaneously, without the trouble of sowing it; autumnal seedlings make the strongest plants, they are liable however to be cut off in very severe seasons; should that happen, sow more seed in the spring with your other annuals. [358] ERICA BACCANS. ARBUTUS-FLOWERED HEATH. _Class and Order._ OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. _Generic Character._ _Cal._ 4-phyllus. _Cor._ 4-fida. _Filamenta_ receptaculo inserta. _Antheræ_ apice bifidæ pertusæ. _Caps._ 4-locularis. 4-valvis polysperma. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ ERICA _baccans_ antheris cristatis inclusis, corollis globoso-campanulatis calyce colorato inclusis, foliis imbricatis. _Linn. Mant. p. 233._ ERICA _baccans_ antheris cristatis, corollis globoso-campanulatis tectis, stylo incluso, foliis ternis imbricatis. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr. p. 366. Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 18._ ERICA _baccans_ cristata foliis quaternis linearibus serrulatis, floribus umbellatis calyce ovato æquante. _Thunb. Prod. p. 74._ ERICA Africana glabra fruticosa arbuti flore. _Seb. Mus. 1. p. 32. t. 21. f. 3._ [Illustration: _N^o. 358_] SEBA, a Dutch writer, appears first to have noticed this Heath; he figures it in his Museum, and distinguishes it by the name of Arbutus-flowered, which Mr. AITON has retained. This very elegant and ornamental species grows to a considerable height, and in favourable situations produces abundance of flowers early in the summer, which are remarkable, though not peculiarly so, for being enveloped with a calyx of same colour. It is a native of the Cape, and was introduced by Mr. MASSON in 1774[5]. Is raised from seeds, which it ripens with us more freely than most of the African Heaths, a fortunate circumstance, as it is scarcely possible to strike its cuttings. Seedling plants rarely flower till they are three years old. [359]