42 



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

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

 called "Black grama," and is largely gathered 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, muchbrancLed, 

 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 dithculty in travers- 

 ing the arid mountain and desert regions of the 

 Southwest, since scarcely any other forage plants 

 occur iu the districts oc- 

 cupied by it (Orcutt). 

 The Hilarias, of which 

 we have four species, 

 are grasses peculiarly 

 adapted for growth in 

 the drier lauds of the 

 Southwest, and al- 

 though they are, with 

 the exception of Hilaria 

 cenchroides, wiry and 

 tough, the forage they 

 aftbrd is very accept- 

 able iu the absence of 

 more succulent plants. 



Fig. 49.— Galleta {Hilaria rigida). 



No. 122. Holcuslanatus Linn. 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. This grass has been introduced into this 

 country from Europe, and has become naturali/.ed in 

 many places. It possesses little nutritive value, and 

 is not well liked by stock, particularly hor.ses. it 

 possesses 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 

 unsuited for lawns. 



No. 123. Holcua mollis Linn. 



Fig. 50.— Velvet-grass (Hoi- 

 cus lanatu*). 



('reei)ing Soft-grass. 



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



well adapted to light, sandy forest lands. It is occasionally Ibiind in the East- 

 ern States, the seed having been introduced witii that of olher grasses from 

 Europe, as both Jfohim molViH and Ilolcim himitus are often used to adulterate 

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



