177 



in the old world, where the type of A. Af/Iaja is very poorly rep- 

 resented, and where the type of A. Papliia takes its place. This 

 last-mentioned form is wanting here and on the whole continent. 



May 5th, 1862. 

 President in the Chair. 



Mr. H. N. Bolander read the following paper : 



Of the grasses found in the Academy's Herbarium, I determined 

 the following species : 



1. Aira elongata. Report of the P. R. R. Expedition. 



2. Brizopyrum Douglasii, Captain Beechy's Botany, p. 404. 

 Syn. Brizopyrum strictum, Torr. 



Poa Michauxii, Kunth. 

 Poa Douglasii, Stend. 



3. Koeleria cristata, Gray's Man. 



4. Agrostis microphylla, P, R. R. Report. 



5. Melica pooeoides, Phil. Journal. 



6. Melica imj.erforata. Captain Beechy's Botany. 

 Melica imperfecta, P. R. R. Report. 



7. Stipa Neesiana, " " " 



8. Elymus villosus, " " " 



9. Festuca microstachys, Phil. Journal (new series). 



10. Lohum tremulentum, (?) Gray's Man. 



11. Beckmannia crucieformis. 



12. Polypogon Monspeliensis and maritima. 



13. Gasfcoidium Lendigerum. 



The grains of No. 10 are said to be noxious to cattle. Lindley 

 remarks : " The effects of this grass are undoubtedly deleterious, 

 although perhaps exaggerated." It grows in abundance in the 

 meadows back of Oakland, and if it should prove to be that grass 

 and possess those noxious quahties so generally attributed to it, we 

 must certainly hear somethino- about it before lona;. It was not 

 advanced sufficiently to determine it with safety. 



Gray says: "Almost the only histance among gi-asses ;" but 

 there are Cjuite a number of grasses which possess noxious qualities. 



Festuca quadridentata is the poisonous grass in Quito. 



Mohnia varia is injurious to cattle. 



Paspalum scrobiculatum of India is poisonous ; it renders the 

 milk of cows grazmg upon it narcotic and drastic. 



