312 FORAGE-PLANTS INDIGENOUS IN NEW SOUTH WALES 



Semartliria compressa, (E. Br.) Glyceria fluifans, (E. Br.) 

 ^aspalum disticlmm, (Linn.) 



In seasons of drought, when tliebiisli-grasses fail or are burned 

 up, these species, which flourish in marshes, or near creeks, 

 lagoons, and moist places, afford valuable pasture, for, although 

 they may not have the fattening properties of the harder grasses, 

 they keep the stock in fair condition. Pasjjalum disticJium or 

 the AVater- Couch, which appears to have been regarded by E. 

 Brown as a sea-coast grass (being called by him P. littorale) has 

 established itself on the banks of our rivers, and though trouble- 

 some in cultivated ground on account of its rapid growth and 

 spreading roots, is a fine grass for stock. Faniciim ohseptuni 

 also flourishes round the margins of lagoons, and floats sometimes 

 on the surface of the water. It is eaten by sheep and cattle, 

 and, in places where it abounds, may be regarded as a substitute 

 for more solid grasses. Glycerla Jlnitans i^i not so abundant, and 

 occurs for the most part by the side of rivers, creeks, or stagnant 

 water. It is a very sweet grass, and the seeds as well as the 

 foliage are very nutritious. Pliragmifes communis is n coarse 

 species and seldom eaten, excepting in very dry seasons. In 

 addition to these grasses, there arc other aquatic plants (such as 

 the species of Trujlocliin, Pofamor/eton, Ttjplia, Heleocliaris, 

 Cyperus, and Carcx), which are also eaten by cattle when other 

 herbage perishes, but they contain very little nourishment. 

 Amongst dicotyledonous plants, horses and cattle frequently 

 browse on the leaves oiDaviesia lunhellatc/, (vSni ) and Z>. Jatifolia 

 (E. Br.), which have a bitter taste, and on those of Casuarina 

 suherosa (Ott. et Dietz.), which are subacid. These plants occur 

 for the most part on mountains or Eanges. Branches of 

 Angoplwra infermedia (DC), A. suhvelutina (F.v.M.), and 

 Sterculia diversifolia (Gr. Don.), are sometimes cut down to keep 

 cattle alive in dry seasons, as the leaves arc relished by them. It 

 is a striking fact in the distribution of plants on this side of the 

 Dividing Eange, that so few of the native Leguminosae can be 



