87 



GRAMINE^. 



Paspalum distichum L. This plant grows upon alkali soil aloug water ditches, and 

 even ill tlie water; much alkali causes tlie runners to become reddish. It grows 

 freely where sugar cane is raised, if not destroyed by cultivation ; most of the 

 specimens were from an unfavorable situation. Commonly called " Gramma." 

 lu is considered of value as a medicinal plant, being used for kidney troubles 

 and gonorrhea. No. 214. 



Panicum sauguiuale I^. Found upon the top of the embankment to a water ditch ; 

 only a few plants seen. No. 222. 



Panicum colonum L. Found in a field where sugarcane had been raised at some 

 jiast time, iind which was being re])lanted. No. 223. 



CenohruB echinatus L. "Pests of every garden; uo animal will eat it after it 

 blooms." No. 220. 



Aristida bromoides H. H. K,forin. No. 270. 



Muhlenbergia debilis Trin. Karlier abundant in the shade of plants; in a moist 

 plai'e in a gnnien. No. 217. 



Sporobolus argutus Kunth. Habitat same as 223. No. 224. 



AgrostiB verticillata Trin. Grows on banks of ditches, hanging over to the water. 

 Only one specinien tbund in a garden. No. 221. 



Diplaohne imbricata Tliurb. Found in a ganlon. Only tliese specimens seen. No. 

 216. 



Phragmites communis Trin. " Near the water the cane grows from 20 to 25 feet 

 high, the Imver part being very slemler for the height, as the specimens show. 

 Domestic animals devour it. It is used for various purposes by the natives. 

 They cut it to certain lengths, and having split it, beat it Hat and then weave 

 it in and out, making a large square mat, with which they form sides orends of 

 the houses; they place it over the rafters before the tule thatch is put on; 

 they use it to cover verauda.s, and also for screens for doors," No. 211. 



Eragrostis major Host. Found in garden. The only specimens seen. No. 215. 



Uragrostis Purshii Sclirad. Comruon among alfalfa; but few of the plants were iu 

 good <'on<lition. No. 218. 



Distichlis maritima (?) form. "Grows in thick masses in wet alkali soils ; saw much 

 that was cut to feed animals, which was twice the size of these specimens, but 

 they had no fiowers or seed ; these were the beet to be had ; found on a dry 

 spot on the outer edge of a garden." No. 219. 



PLANTS COLLECTED AT GUAYMAS, 



The plants collected at Gnaymas were obtained at several different 

 times. No very extensive collection was made at this time, as tbis re- 

 gion was so tlioronghly examined in 1887; yet in spite of this former 

 almost exbaustive collection this region still yields some new species 

 and others of great interest. Of this latter class is to be mentioned 

 Frosopis heterophylla Bentham, now for the tirst time obtained iu flower, 

 and Sphwralcea Goulteri Gray. 



BphcCralcea Coulteri Gray.' A little annual 2 to 6 inches high, growing scatteringly 

 among other small plants on sandy plains near Gnaymas. The dowers are 

 email but quite showy, of "bright amber color," but in dried specimens rose- 

 colored. The specimens are not in fruit, but Dr. Watson has kindly sent me 



^Dr. Palmer has aiuco sent fruiting specimens of tbis species, leaving no doubt as 



•to its identity. 



