36 



No. 97. Epicampes rigens Benth. Deer-grass. (Fig. 41.) 



A stout, erect grass, 3 to 4 leet Ligh, with rigid, wiry stems, and a very long, narrow, 

 densely llowered, spike-like panicle. This grass is not uncommon in Arizona, 

 southern California, and New Mexico, growing in sandy soil. It is regarded as 



one of the best native dry-land grasses, and is closely 

 grazed wherever stock tan get at it. The roots of E})!- 

 campes mucroura — Mexican Broom-root or Mexican 

 Whisk — are used in making brushes and are exported 

 from Vera Cruz to Europe fof this purpose. 

 No. 98. Eragrostis abyssinica Link. Teft'. 

 A brauchiug. leafy annual, 2 to 1 feet high, with widely 

 spreading capillary panicles of many spikelets. This 

 grass grows readily from seed, wiiich is produced abund 

 antly, and it may be of some value for hay in parts of the 

 Sou til or Southwest. In northeastern Africa, when; the 

 grass is apparently native, the grain is extensively used 

 for food, l)eing made into 

 l)read, which possesses a 

 slight but agreeable acid 

 taste. There are two va- 

 rieties cultivated, a white 

 and a red variety, the for- 

 mer being much superior 

 to the latter and used only 

 by the higher classes. It 

 is sometimes grown in gar- 

 dens for the elegant pani- 

 cles, which are used in 

 bou(iuets. KviKjrosUti neo- 

 mexicana Vasey, with the 

 general habit of growth of 

 Teft", occurs in New Mex- 

 ico, si)ringiug up after 

 rains, particularly in the region about Doming, 

 1^ where it is called "Crab-grass." It is an annual, 

 growing to the height of 2 to 4 leet, with widely 

 spreading, many llowered panicles, and is largely 

 cut for hay. 

 No. 99. Eragrostis major Host. Stink-grass. 



(Fig. 42.) 

 A rather showy. uuich-l>rauchcd annual, with erect or 



Fig. 41.— Beer-grass [Epi- 

 cainpet riyens) . 



asceiuling stems, (I inches to 2 or 3 feet liigh. 



Fio. 42.— Stink-grass (Eragrostix 



iiiajiir). 



When fresh 



This .species, which is a native of Europe, has 

 bcconu' widely distributed in this country, grow- 

 ing cliietly in cultivated or waste grounds, especially in light soils. 

 it emits a strong, unpleasant odor. 



No. 100. Eragrostis obtusiflora (Fourn.) Scribn. Mexican Salt-grass. 



A rigid perennial, 12 to 18 inches high, with strong and extensively scaly rootstocks, 

 stiff and sharp-pointed leaves, anil nujre or less sjireadiug i)auicles. Abundant 

 in the highly alkaline soils ol" Suli»hur Springs Valley, Arizona, where the large 

 rootstocks serve to bind the shifting sands. In the absence of other grasses it 

 is eaten by stoiik. 



No. 101. Eragrostis pilosa ( Linn.) Hoauv. Slender Meadow-grass. 



A slender l.raucliing annual, (I to 18 inches high, with narrow. Hat leaves and capil- 



