42 



times when not covered with snow, and is frequently cut for hay. It forms 

 dense jjatches of greater or less extent on hillsides, mesas, and plains. It is also 

 called "Black grama," and is largely g.ithered for hay, being uprooted with a 

 hoe. (Pringle.) 



No. 121. Hilaria rigida (Thurb.) Scribn. Galleta. (Fig. 49.) 



In the driest regions of southern California and Ari- 

 zona, growing in the deserts where other grasses 

 are rarely seen. It has coarse, much branched, 

 and woody stems, 2 feet high or more, growing in 

 great clumps, resembling in its habit some; of the 

 dwarf bamboos. The stems and leaf sheaths are 

 clothed with a dense, white-matted pubescence, 

 which gives to the grass a peculiarly striking 

 appearance. In the regions where it grows it is 

 regarded as valuable forage for pack animals and 

 mules, there being little other vegetation which 

 they can eat. Without this grass miners and 

 prospectors would lind great difliculty in travers- 

 ing the arid mountain and desert regions of the 

 Southwest, since scarcely any other forage plants 

 occur in the districts oc- 

 cupied by it (Orcntt). 

 The Hilarias, of which 

 we liave four species, 

 are grasses peculiarly 

 adapted for growth in 

 the drier lands of the 

 S o n t h \v c s t , and al- 

 though they are, with 

 the exception of Hilaria 

 cenchroides, wiry and 

 tough, the forage they 

 att'ord is very accept- 

 able in the absence of 

 more succulent plants. 



Pin. 40.— Galleta {Tlilaria rigida). 



No. 122. Holcuslanatus T.inn. Velvet-grass. (Fig. 50.) 



A perennial, 1 to 2 feet high, with a creeping rootstock, and 

 stems and leaves clothed all over with a soft, whitish 

 pubescence. Tliis grass has been introduced into this 

 country from Europe, and has become naturalized in 

 many ])laces. It possesses little nutritive value, and 

 is not well liked by stock, particularly horses. It 

 pdsscsscs some value, however, on peaty or sandy soils 

 where the better grasses will not grow. Its cultiva- 

 tion, however, is not recommended. It is entirely 

 uusuited (or lawns. 



No. 123. Holcus mollis Linu. 



Fig. 50.— Velvet-grass (Hoi- 



c%is lanatni). 



Creeping Soft-grass. 



Clcsely allied to Velvet-grass, and said to be similarly 



well adapted to light, san<ly forest lands. It is occasionally found in the East- 

 ern States, the. seed having been introduced with that oC otlier grasses from 

 Europe, as both llohux moUin and IIolciin latiatiis are often used to adulterate 

 the seeds of more expensive grasses, especially the so-called prepared mixtures 



