BOMB A Y G RA SSES. 129 



which yields in abundance. The grain is said to be sold in the 

 bazaars of the N.- W. Provinces, and is much used by poor Hindoos on 

 their fast days, but the higher classes do not set any value on it, and 

 eliminate it from rice, with which it is often mixed by the dealers. 

 Its succulent stems are said to grow from 2 to 8 feet in Australia. 



P. Crus-Galli, Linn., R. Br. Prod. 191. Trim, Sp. Gram., 

 t. 161,162 ; Oplismcmis crus-galli, Kunt. Enum. 143 ; Dalz. and Gib., 

 Bomb. FL 292. 



Vern. — Bouur, Pacad. Common weed in most hot and some 

 temperate countries. It is similar to P. colonum, but coarse. 

 The grain is not considered to be possessed of good nu- 

 tritive qualities and is mostly consumed by the poorer classes. 

 It is sown in the N.-W. Provinces for its grain, and in Rajputana 

 used as fodder. It thrives well in Australia. In America it is highly 

 esteemed under the name of " Barn Yard Grass." In his " Re- 

 port on the Agricultural Grasses of the United States," Dr. Vascy 

 writes: "It is greedily eaten (at Mobille, U. S.) by horses and cattle 

 "and makes a hay of good quality. It is justly regarded as an 

 " excellent grass, particularly before it ripens its seeds. In Louisiana, 

 ' Mississippi and other States, it is mowed annually and yields as 

 " much as four or five tons of hay per acre. Two cuttings are procur- 

 " able each season when mowed as soon as it begins to bloom. It 

 " re-seeds the ground, and requires no care save protection from live* 

 " stock. Cows and horses are very fond of it, green or dry/' 



P. petivcril., Trim, spec. Gram. 1. 176. In Poona and plains of 

 Northern India. Rare. Cattle eat it. It is a good fodder. 



P. myosuroides, R. B. Prod. 189. 



P. angusttcm, Trim, sp. Gram. t. 334. 



Vern. — {Kora-Lom.), Pokalia, Didhina, mum-punchi, suphetkar. It 

 grows in Alibagh and on low wet ground. It is eaten by cattle with 

 relish ; it also grows in Queensland in Australia. 



P. myurus. Lam.; P. interuptum, Willd., Kunt. Enum. 1, 86; 

 Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1, 286. 



Vcni. — Pokelia. Not uncommon in Thana, Konkan, Ceylon, in 

 warm wet ground. It is not a good fodder grass. In Australia, how- 

 ever, it is considered to be nutritious to cattle. 



P. antidotale. Retz., Kunt. Enum. 1, 125. 

 17 



