296 NOTES ON THE BOTANY 
and the other islets in the French Bay, and moreover, ac- 
cording to the statement of M. Orne, may be seen in equal 
profusion on the shores of all the Falklands. The plant 
grows from 4 to 6 feet high, its leaves are sheathing and 
compressed. The inner portion of the stem, to the height of 
5 or 6 inches above the root, is white and soft, crisp, agree- 
ably flavoured, somewhat resembling  Filberds, and very 
wholesome. This substance consists of the inmost sheathing 
bases of the central leaves and stalks closely compressed, and 
encased within each other. The taste is perhaps most like 
that of the highly esteemed Mountain Cabbage Palm.” 
Mr. Wright brought home a similar account of the Tussack 
Grass, and assured us that its young shoots are boiled and 
eaten like asparagus. He also showed us specimens and a 
drawing of the tufts of this Grass, as they appear in the small 
islets. From this drawing the woodcut was made for the 
Gardener’s Chronicle, and the editor of that work has had the 
kindness to place the block in our hands, to be used on the 
present occasion. By far, however, the most interesting ac- 
count of the Tussack Grass is that given in the Report above- 
mentioned, which was sent by the Governor, Lieut. R. C. 
Moody, R. E., to the Colonial Office. 
* During several long rides," he says, “into the country, 
I have always found the Tussack flourishing most vigorously 
in spots exposed to the sea,* and on soil unfit for any other 
plant, viz. the rankest peat-bog, black or red. It is singular 
to observe the beaten footpaths of the wild cattle and horses, 
marked like a foot-track across fields in England ; extending 
for miles over barren moor-land,t and always terminating in 
some point or peninsula, covered with this favourite fodder; 
amid which one is almost certain to meet with solitary old 
bulls, or perhaps a herd of cattle ; very likely a troop of wild 
T E es wild west coast of Ireland would exactly suit this grass." 
t “The poor soil, above described, covers about cne fourth of the sur- 
face of the country and is the worst of all, as to herbage.” 
