32 



No. 82. Dactyloctenium aegyptium (Linn.) Willd. Crowfoot-grass. (Fig. 35.) 

 This grass, which is a weed thronghout all the warmer countries of the world, has 

 become quite common in some of the Southern States. It closely resembles the 

 more common Goose-grass or Duck's-grass {Elensine indica), from which it dif- 

 fers chiefly in having the terminal spikes shorter and each tipped with a sharp 

 prolongation of the axis. It is usually found in cultivated fields, and often in 

 such abundance as to displace the less vigorous native sorts, and is sometimes 

 cut for hay. In parts of Africa,where this grass is common, a decoction is pre- 

 pared from the seeds, wliich is used for inflammation of the kidneys. In Aus- 

 tralia it is valued for pasture. In India the grain is sometimes used for food 

 by the natives in times of scarcity. The ilobave Indians of California also use 



the grain for food, grinding it and mak- 

 ing the flour into cakes or mush. (C. R. 

 Orcutt.) 



No. 83. Danthonia 



Tennessee Oat-grass. 



compressa Austin. 



A slender, erect, tufted perennial, usually 

 growing to the height of about 2 feet, 

 Avith long and narrow root-leaves, and 

 few-flowered spreading panicles. It is a 

 common grass in the hilly regions of New 

 England and the Middle States, and ex- 

 tends southward into North Carolina and 

 Tennessee along the mountains, where 

 it forms the bulk of the forage of the 

 so-called "balds" or parks which are com- 

 mon to mountains in the South. It is 

 highly nutritious, as determined by 

 chemical analysis, as well as by its effect 

 upon the stock grazing upon it. It stands 

 well the trampling and grazing of both 

 horses and cattle, but sheep are too close 

 feeders, and where these range it soon 

 disappears. 



No. 84. Deschampsiacaespitosa (L.) lieauv. 

 Tufted Hair-grass. 



A native perennial, ranging from New Eng- 

 land to Pennsylvania, and westward to 

 the I'aciflc Coast. It yields an inferior, 

 coarse, harsh forage, and is not eaten by 

 stock except when young. It has a record of producing 10,209 pounds green 

 and 3,;U8 pounds dry hay per acre. Johnson, in his work on British grasses, 

 says of the tendency of Tufted Hair-grass to form tussocks: "In the economy 

 of nature these tufts, so unsightly and disiiguring to the landscape, are valuable 

 by contri))uting to elevate and solidify low lands liable to be overflowed by 

 rivers, and where they occur on hill and mountain slopes, by binding the spongy 

 soil and preventing the slips which would leave them bare." This grass is most 

 abundant in the Rocky Mountain region, where it doubtless serves to a consid- 

 erable extent the purpose here mentioned. In Englan<l it is sometimes used by 

 the farmers to make door mats. In Germany it furnishes the "Lyme-grass" 

 used in upholstery. Price of the seed in New York, $22 per 100 pounds. 



No. 85. Deschampsiaflexuosa (L.) Trin. Wood-Hair grass. (Fig. 36.) 

 A slender perennial grass, 1 to 2 feet higli, with numerous very flne root-leaves and 

 a delicate capillary panicle. It grows in tufts like Deachavipnia caspitona, and is 



Fio. 35. 



- Crowfoot-grass ( Dactyloctenium 

 cegyptiutn) . 



