Biological Papers. 95. 



grasses that never could endure the constant trampling by buffalo, the an- 

 nual fires, and the oft-recurring and continued drouths. June. (ASU) 

 The provision possessed by this grass for withstanding long-continued drouth 

 is one of the remarkable features told of these plants of the semiarid region. 

 It has been recorded (see Transactions Kan. Acad. Sci., vol. vii, 1879-'80, 

 page 53) that the roots of this lowly little buffalo-grass, seldom over four 

 inches high, on the high mesas and prairie lands near the ninety-ninth me- 

 ridian, sends its roots down fully fifteen feet into the dry, solid earth, and, 

 while not on the highlands reaching the stratum of perpetual moisture, yet 

 was able to reach a stratum of sufficient moisture— a stratum seldom 

 affected by summer heat. 



Tribe/. Festucex. Meadow-grass Tribe. Inflorescence paniculate or race- 

 mose, the panicles open or dense and spikelike; spikelets pedicellate, 

 two- to many-flowered, usually perfect; flowering glumes longer than 

 the empty glumes, awnless, or with one to several short, straight 

 awns either terminal or borne just below the apex. 



369. Pappophorum apertum Munro. Brush-grass. Dry plains, Meade to 

 Morton county (Kellerman). Aug. (A) 



370. Gynerium argenteum Nees. Pampas-grass. A splendid grass, oc- 

 casionally in cultivation for winter boquets. 



371. Arundo donax L. Giant Reed-grass. Tall, striking grasses, occa- 

 sionally cultivated in water, both with and without variegated foliage. 



372. Phragmites communis Trin. Reed. Swampy spots along streams, 

 general; rare. Aug. (ASU) 



373. Munroa squarrosa Torr. Stiff Thistle-grass. Dry soils, W. K. ; a 

 harsh, prickly annual grass, occasional on broken prairies. Aug. (ASU) 



374. Triodia flava (L. ) (Poa flava h. ; Triodia cuprea J acq. ; Tricuspis 

 quinquefida Beauv. ; Sieglingia seslerioides Scribn. ; Tridens flavus Hitchc) 

 Tall Purpletop. Damp, sandy fields. E. to C. K.; frequent. July-Sept, 

 (ASU) This handsome grass has had to bear the burden of too many doc- 

 tors officiating at its christening, some of whom came uninvited. Only the 

 principal ones are named here. 



375. Triodia stricta Vasey. {Windsoria Nutt.) Spicate Purpletop. 

 Moist soil, Cherokee and Labette counties; occasional. July. (A) 



376. Triodia acuminata Vasey. {Tricuspis Munro.) White Tuft-grass. 

 Dry soils, W. K. ; occasional. June. (S) 



377. Triodia elongata Scribn. (Uralepis Buckl.) Wiry Purpletop. To 

 be looked for on the dry plains of S. W. K. ; it approaches quite close in 

 Colorado and northern Texas. June-Aug. 



378. Triodia pilosa (Buckl.) {Uralepis Buckl.) Hairy Purpletop. Dry 

 soil, S. W. K. ; occasional. Summer. (S) 



379. Triodia albescens Vasey. {Rhombolytrum Nash). Whitish Pur- 

 pletop. Reported from southwest Kansas. 



380. Triodia purpurea (Walt.) {Triplasis Chapm.) Purpletop (Sand- 

 grass). Sandy river bottoms and damp sands, E. and S. K. ; not common. 

 Aug. (ASU) 



381. Redfieldia flexuosa Vasey. Blowout-grass. Plains and sandhills, 

 especially in blow-outs, Finney to Morton counties; frequent. Aug. 

 (ASU) 



