BOMBAY GRASSES. 123 



Bamboos are well known to people who work and deal in them 

 in different districts, but even here the names vary in each 

 province. 



The names given are often fanciful to please the Sahib, as stated 

 above. If, after the lapse of some time, the man be asked, he will 

 give you a different name from what he had done pre- 

 viously. The names of some of the grasses written in the dupli- 

 cates received this year are not the same as those which were assigned 

 to the same plant last year. For these reasons I set very little 

 value on them. For there is no certainty that these names before 

 being attached to each species were verified by an intelligent person. 

 Mr. H. C. Davidson, of the Revenue Survey Department, has collected 

 grasses and herbs which grow in Alibagh on the fields amongst the 

 rice, bajri and other food grain crop. After drying and mounting 

 them properly, he attaches to each specimen a paper inscribing in a 

 few words the uses and the Vernacular names after due enquiry. It is 

 only by such means that we can ascertain the true Vernacular names, 

 and render them useful to those who are desirous to know, and thus 

 indirectly promote the advancement of the science of Botany. It is 

 thus that their value in tracing the history of the plant may be 

 enhanced. By the method adopted by Mr. Davidson we have before 

 \\s a specimen of a plant with its well ascertained Vernacular 

 name. 



As to the Sanscrit names they are not more reliable than the 

 Vernacular ones, being founded on less ascertained observation and 

 description of the essential characters of the plants. 



In regard to the uses of the plants, I have made use of the 

 short statements of Mr. Duthie made in his "Fodder Grasses of 

 N.-W. India" and of Mr. Fergusson in his " Catalogue of Ceylon 

 Grasses," especially when my information did not differ from those 

 statements. 



Finally I submit this Catalogue, which for obvious reasons cannot 

 but be brought out in parts, to the kind appreciation of this 

 Society. 



Additions and corrections, which may be made, and advice pro- 

 ferred, will be received with thanks. 



