GRASSES. 91 



can, a place, the whole meaning the place where the arrowhead grows. 

 Fremont, passing across Chewaucan Marsh, December 19, 1843, wrote 

 on page 208 of his report : 



Large patches of ground had been torn up by the squaws in digging for roots, as 

 if a farmer had been preparing the laud for grain. 



FOACEAE. 



Agrost.is perennans (Walt.) Tuckerm. 



No'-tak. — A small low grass, with a loose airy panicle, of common 

 occurrence about Klamath Agency. The minute seeds are gathered 

 for food. Though no specimens were collected, the plant is probably 

 referable to this species, which is known to occur in the region. 



Beckmannia erucaeformis (L.) Host. 



(Jhap'-to, — Slew-grass, a perennial species, often a meter in height, the 

 inflorescence a narrow panicle with spike-like branches. The species 

 is of frequent occurrence in natural meadows and on the borders of 

 summer pools. Its seeds are sometimes used for food. 



Elymus condensatus Presl. 



Gla'-i pi. — A tall grass, I to 2 meters (about 3 to 6 feet) in height, 

 growing in bunches along river bottoms and locally known as "rye 

 grass." The large grains were formerly and still are to some extent 

 used for food under the name gla'-i-pi-am". 



The size of the grains and the fact that this grass, the grain-filled 

 heads of which are one of the most nutritious winter horse foods, cov- 

 ers countless acres along streams in the plains, suggests that it maybe 

 worthy of experimentation as a cultivated grain for that region. 



Panicularia fluitans (L.) Kuntzc. 



Kam'chddd"-Ms. — A stout marsh grass, often called "sugar grass," 

 about a meter in height, with short, broad leaves, commonly 25 cm. by 

 1.5 cm. (about 1 foot by three-fifths of an inch), ami bearing a spreading 

 panicle of small flower spikes. It is common in all the marsh lands. 

 The seeds are a favorite article of food among the Klamaths. 



Phragmites phragmites (L.) Karst. 



Tsal, or shal. — The common reed, in this part of the country known 

 usually as " cane grass," a tall marsh plant, higher than a man, bear- 

 ing a large plume of feathery flowers. Selected strands peeled from 

 the surface of the stem and split till they have a width of commonly 2 

 to 3 mm. (one-twelfth to one-eighth of an inch) are used in the surface 

 finish of some of the finer baskets. These strands are of a pale straw 

 color, smooth and shining, and are known by the name tkop. 



The seeds of Phragmites are sometimes used for food. 



