52 SAND-BINDING PLANTS OF MADRAS, 



P.S. I observe that I omitted in the list ^gialitis annulata^ which 

 occurs on Howick's Group, Sonchus oleraceits and >S', asper are, if I 

 rightly remember, reunited in the * "Flora of New Zealand,' I beg to 

 point out, besides the constant differences in the fruit, shape, and size 

 of the leaves, the difference in the internal structure of the stem. 



Note on the Sand-bindtng Plants of the Madras Beach; by H. 



Cleghorn, M.D., Professor of Botany, Madras. 



Having lately been requested by the Military Board to examine the 

 condition of the South Beach, between the Saluting Battery and St. 

 Thome, with a view to consolidate the drifting sands thrown up near 

 Colonel Cotton's groins, I endeavoured to estimate the comparative 

 value of the different species of maritime plants in preventing the 

 encroachments of the sea on the land, and in fixing the loose soil 

 along the shore. All that seems worthy of mention has been con- 

 densed in the following short notice of these useful plants. 



Of the plants growing on the Madras Beach, the species inown to 

 Europeans by the designation of " Ground Eattan" {Spinifex squarro- 

 stis) comes nearest to the Sand Carex of England in its habit of 

 growth, creeping along horizontally, sometimes above, sometimes below 

 the surface of the earth, emitting roots and shoots at short intervals of 

 n few inches. It likewise possesses the advantage of being extremely 

 tenacious of life ; the shoot at every node is capable of renewing the 

 existence of the individual as fast as destroyed, and the whole plant 

 offers a resistance to the storm which is rarely overcome. I think this 

 species would be nearly as indestructible from natural causes as Couch- 

 grass, and it appears to me (after watching patches of it on the road 

 to Ennore, where it is little disturbed), that it would speedily colonize 

 the sand tracts spontaneously if it were only left unmolested for a 

 year or two. The fishermen do not appreciate the conservative design 

 of this Ground Eattan or Mat-grass, but collect it for fuel, and thus 

 destroy their greatest protection : the reason seems io be that the 

 spiny leaves injure their naked feet, and the turf does not answer for 

 spreading their nets upon. On this account it would be well to pro- 

 pagate the other species mentioned, immediately in front of fishing 

 villages. This grass is polygarao-dicecious, and reproduction is effected 

 in a very remarkable manner : the male spikes, congested into an um- 



