BOMBAY GRASSES. 207 



sueeested bv me that A. Hackelii in honour of Professor Hackel would 

 bo a more appropriate name. To this, in a let lor dated 13th 

 November, 1890, Mr.Duthie answered" I think A. Hackelii, Lisbon, 

 would be a far more appropriate name. I should think he would have 

 no objection to the alteration, I had better ask him." I would have 

 still described it in honour of Prof. Hackel but for the following 

 letter of Mr. Duthie, dated 31st January last. 



11 Professor Hackel now reduces his Andropogon fictidus to a 

 variety of Hugelii, Hackel. He first gave the name A. fcetidus 

 to specimens collected by me in the Nimar district two years ago. 

 He did not reply to my question regarding the inappropriateness 

 of the name faiidxs. He has probably written a description which 

 will shortly be published." 



The description given in this paper is mine : so far as I know, 

 Mr. Hackel has not published his. 

 A. mitiacens, Roxb., FL hid. I. 273. 

 Schult. Mant., II. 448. 

 Torn. Farms, Bhcndu. 



Poona (rare), Lanowlee (saw only one specimen). Also mountains 

 north of Oudh (Genl. Martini Roxb. Fl. hid,) 



This is a very tall stately grass, presenting a beautiful appearance 

 when in infloresence, which is of a purplish colour. Nothing is 

 known of its uses as a fodder grass. 



A. squaro8its, Linn. fil. suppl. 433. A. muricatiis, Retz. Obser. 

 III. 45 ; V. 20 ; Dalz. and Gibs, Bomb. Fl, 302. 



Vera. Varelu or Vale} urn, Walla and Ushir, Vittiver (South India 

 name, Roxb.). Hence it is named Vetiveria odoratahy Vircy. The 

 long aromatic roots are known as Kashas. 



It is common in southern districts of India, but rather rare in 

 Thana and in other parts of the Bombay Presidency. In these, it is 

 cultivated in gardens. Generally distributed throughout the plains 

 of Northern India, especially on moist low-lying lands. It affords 

 good fodder when young, and is much relished by buffaloes. It is 

 not stacked as fodder, and the cut grass is given to cattle only in 

 seasons of excessive drought. This grass is used largely as a 

 thatching material, and the fragrant roots, known under the name of 

 khas khas are used all over Northern India in the manufacture of 



