698 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATVliAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV. 



4. The same, but umbel compound, i.e., primary 

 rays bearing several digitately spreading 

 spikes . . . . . . . . . . M. sieberianun. var. 



subcojnposita . 

 o. Taller and more robust. Umbel large, rays 

 up to 7 inches. Spikes digitate on the 

 rays. Spikelets fewer and more distant, 

 subsecund, larger, f inch . . . . . . 4. iJf. Konhanensis. 



C — Stem tall. Spikelets pale, turf/id, bearinij several 



nuts . . . , . . . . . . . , 5. M. albescens. 



D. — Stem tall, robust. Umbel larye, spreadinf/ . 

 Spikelets innumerable in short (jlobose spikes, 

 very narrow almost filiform, golden red . . 6. M. microcephalus. 



1. M. bulbOSUS, Cl-e. C. Olarhei, Cooke. Stolous slender. 

 Stem 3-8 inches, as clavis. Umbel simple with very short rays 

 practically reduced to a head. Spikes about 6, ovoid, dense, 

 pale, about f x {^^^ inches. Spikelets densel}^ packed, spreading, 

 broad- oblong. 



Rare. Carnatic, (Herb. Talbot.) (India, W. Peninsula, Endemic). 



2. M. paniceus, V<(hl. Stolons slenders, creeping. Stems 

 about 10 inches very slender. Bracts long. Inflorescence as 

 clavis, usually only ^-f inch across. 



A forest-plant. Ghat and Carnatic Mallad tracts. Flowers in the au- 

 tumn. (iQdian in the damper regions, Mauritius). 



(l>) Var, Roxburgh iana, Che. Larger, stems up to 2 It. Umbel 

 expanded with raj^s up to 2 inches. 



I refer here specimens from Igatpuri and Salsette in Herb. St. X. Coll. 

 In one of these the spikelets are darker in colour and the plant might with 

 almost equal justification be referred to M. ci/perinus, Vahl. 



o. M. sieberianus, Nees. Rhizome short, stems 1-2^ ft. 

 Umbel simple, Avith 5-12 straight rays teminated by cylindric; 

 dense spikes of divaricate, pale, straight spikelets. 



1 refer here specimens observed in the Carnatic, and one or two sheets 

 in herbb. But I am not sure what the real line of division is between the 

 last variety and this species. (Warm regions of the old world.) 



[ (6) Var, subcomposita, Cke. Umbel compound as clavis. Mentioned 

 because it is likely to occur.] 



4. M- konkanensiS, Coohe (under Cyperus), F. B. P. II 874. 



M. Sieherianns Woodrow in J. B. N. H. S., Vol. 13 (1901) p. 431 

 (^not of Nees). " M. 8ieheriamis var stthcom/posita (forma <ii<jantea) 

 sp. nova ?" Clarke Ms. note on sheet Woodrow No. 34 in Herb 

 Kew. Tall. Rhizome (when present) short, wood3^ Stems solitary 

 or approximate on the rhizome, up to 30 inches high, stout, trigo- 

 nous, striate, clothed far above the base Avith coloured striate 

 sheaths, terminating in long, flat, many-nerved leaves. Inflorescen- 

 ce a laige umbel subtended by leafy bracts. Rays up to 7 inches, 



