57 



fouiul to be longer lived in some places at least; common in tlie desert in many 

 wet alkaline places, especially along the railroad. Wamsutter, July 10 (3670). 



Hordeum nodosuna L. (Meadow Barley). — A slender bunch grass, or sometimes 

 a rather continuous and uniform growth, forming small meadow-like tracts on 

 saline flats and basins. It is a liglit grass, and the short-bearded heads soon 

 break up when mature, but if cut early and cured would probably make fair 

 hay. Bitter Creek, July 12 (3692); South Butte July 13 (3746). 



Elymus condensatus Presl. (OJiant 

 Rye-CtKass).— A tall, coarse grass 

 growing in dense blanches. It is 

 common in the deeper draws and 

 on the slopes below the permanent 

 winter snowdrifts. Wamsiitter, July 

 10(367.5) ; Fifteen-mile Springs, July 

 11 (3728). 



Elymus salinus Jones (Dksekt Rye- 

 (UtA.ss, fig. 23). — Varying from a 

 small, erect form of scattering 

 growth to a coarse, harsh plant a 

 foot or more in height, forming close 

 tufts. It seems to be peculiar to dry, 

 poor soil, usually occupying the dri- 

 est ridges and benches of the second 

 bottom or the sand dunes of the foot- 

 hills. Only rarely does it form a uni- 

 form, continuous growth. It seems 

 that it might prove a valuable grass 

 for certain kinds of soil, both for 

 pasture and hay. A very moderate 

 amountof water for irrigation would 

 probably suffice to secure fair re- 

 sults. Green River, May 31 (3059); 

 Bitter Creek, July 12 (3694) ; Point 

 of Rocks, August 30 (44.36). 



Sitaiiion elymoides Raf. (Loxc- 

 BEARDED Wild-Rye). — A Small 

 bunch grass with wide-spreading 

 awns. It can hardly be pronounced 

 other than worthless. It has not 

 only formidable beards, but it ma- 

 tures early, becomes brittle, and 

 soon goes to pieces and is blown 

 away. Green River, May 31 (3058) ; 

 Wamsutter. July 10 (3669). 



Fig. 23.- 



-Desert Rye-grass {Elymus salinus) : a, 

 empty glumes ; 6, Horets. 



CYPERACEiE. 



Eleocharis palustris R. & S. (Common Spike-rush).— Slender stems 10 to 18 

 inches high ; spikes narrowly oblong. An exceedingly common form in the saline 

 bo^sof the desert; especially abundant on the low banks of Bitter Creek, where 

 it was freely browsed by the horses on the emigrant trail. Bitter Creek, July 



12 (3689). 



Eleocharis sp.— Much smaller than the preceding, with short, oblong spikes, mak- 

 ing a dense growth on the black, mucky bogs about springs in the desert. 

 Readily eaten by our horses while we were in camp. Black Rock Springs, July 



13 (3719). 



Scirpus americanus Pers. (American Bulrush).— Perennial from slender root- 



