BY JAMES M.'PETRIE. 633 



evolves free hydrocyanic acid continually, and if placed in a stop 

 pered bottle with the test paper, shows an intense reaction in i 

 few minutes. The glucoside, enzyme, and free acid, are presen 

 in all parts, and throughout the whole year. 



January ... + very strong. August ... -f very strong. 



April ... + very strong. November ... + very strong. 



Eleusine regyptiaca and E. indica. — These two native grasses 

 are widely distributed, the former in the interior of New South 

 Wales, and the latter in the coastal districts. They are very rich in 

 cyanogenetic glucosides, all parts of the plants giving strong 

 reactions, except in the winter. 



cegypt. indica. 



January ... ... ... + + strong. 



April + + strong. 



August ... ... ... - - 



November ... ... + + strong. 



Leptochloa decipiens. — This exotic grass reacts energetically 

 for cyanogenetic glucoside at all times of the year, and is 

 strongest in Autumn and late Spring. The flowers and seeds are 

 also very strong. It is cultivated in the Botanic Gardens and 

 Centennial Park. 



Grasses cultivated in the Botanic Gardens. 



By the co-operation of the Director of the Gardens, Mr, J. H. 

 Maiden, 152 different species of native and exotic grasses have 

 been tested at four different seasons throughout the year. A number 

 of the results were confirmed by tests on material collected by Mr. 

 E. Breakwell, B.A., B.Sc, Department of Agriculture, in the pas- 

 toral districts and at the Government Farms. 



All the specimens have been carefully examined by Mr. E. Cheel 

 in the National Herbarium, and considerable time has been occu- 

 pied in their identification. The species were checked and con- 

 firmed by Mr. Maiden, and a number of doubtful ones were re- 

 ferred to Kew. It will be recognised that the value of the results 

 stated is largely dependent on the fact that the botanical names- 

 are as correct as it is possible to give them, and for this essential 



