MEADOW-GRASS: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandra clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the fourth order, Graminae. The calyx is bivalved and multilobed; the spicula or partial spike is ovate, with the valves fimbriated and a little sharp, or thin on the margin. There are 20 species; most of them grasses, and very agreeable food for cattle; for one species, which grows in marshes, the cattle will frequently go so deep as to endanger their lives. This is called the aquatica, or water reed-grass. It is the largest of the British grasses, growing to the height of five or six feet. The leaves are smooth, and half an inch wide or more. The panicle is eight or ten inches long, greatly branched, and decked with numerous spicula: these are of a reddish brown colour intermixed with green, of a compressed lanceolate form, imbricated with about six flowers for the most part, but varying from five to ten.