BOMBAY GRASSES. 215 



allusion is made regarding the injurious properties of this gra 

 when young either in Australia or in the United States. In the latter 

 country, where it is known as "Johnson Grass," "Cuba Grass," 

 ■■ Mears Grass" and " False Guinea Grass," it is highly valued, as 

 the following extract from Dr. Vascy's "Report on the Grasses of 

 the South," pages 16 and 17 (1887), will show :— 



• Mr. N. B. Moore has cultivated this grass for 40 years and 

 p refers it to all others, is perennial, as nutritious as any 

 other, difficult to eradicate, will grow on ordinary soil, and yields 

 abundantly. Horses and cattle are fond of it, both in its dry and 

 green condition. Probably no grass gives better promise for the dry 

 arid lands of the West. This grass is best adapted to warm climates, 

 and has proved most valuable on warm dry soils in the Southern 

 States. Its chief value is for hay in regions where other grasses 

 fail on account of drought. If cut early the hay is of good quality, 

 and several cuttings may be made in the season. 



" In California it is known as Evergreen or Arabian Millet. It 

 roots deep in the sub-soil and where that is at all alkaline, it grows 

 enormously, but at the same time absorbs so much of the unpalatable 

 alkali, that stock will not eat it. It is excellent for dry hills, free 

 from alkali." 



Andropogon lames, Roxb. Fl. Bid. I. 271. This is probably a 

 variety of A. (Sorghum) halpapensis, Brotero, with loose panicle. 



Andropogon Wig //tit, Hack, Andropogonece, 511, is probably a variety 

 of A. (Sorghum) laxus of Roxb. I have received specimens from 

 Thana and Nassick. 



S. purpureo-sericcum, Hochst. in Schimp. pi. Abyss. 1887, Rich. 

 Tent. Fl. Abyss. II. 469 ; Andropogon sorghum, Var. variegatum, 

 Hack, Andropog. 554. Culm erect, rather strong, 2 — 3 ft. high. 

 Sheaths striated, compressed, glabrous, much shorter than the inter- 

 nodes. Nodes bearded with a tuft of long white hairs. Leaves 3 — 5 in. 

 long and 2 — 2\ in. broad, glabrous, or with a very few short scat- 

 tered hisped hairs, and with scabrous margins. Panicle ovate, 4 — 5 

 in. high. Rachis smooth, glabrous. Branches filiform, flexuose, 

 numerous, 2 or 3 at each articulation, almost verticillate at the 

 lowermost articulation, pedicels and articles ciliated with long rufous 

 or purplish hairs, which cover the spikelets. First glume of the 



