287. 
Our thanks are also due to Mr. J. Manby, Leeds University, for 
the photographs. 
REFERENCES. 
* Carruthers, W. (1904). Journ. Roy. Agric. Soc. of England. 
Vol. 65, 261-2. 
2 Giissow, H. T. ey pela ob Nh VIII. 9. 
3 Kunkel, L. O. (1915). Jou gr. Research IV, 3. 265-278. 
4 Melhus, Rosenbaum & Sonte (1916). Journ. "Agr. Research VII, 
5. 213-254 
Ee . Milburn & Bessey (1915). ‘‘ Fungoid Diseases of Farm & Garden 
ops.’ 
oO ag D. ies (1919). Bulletin 94. West of Scot. Agr. Coll. 
7 Ow M. N. (1919). Bull. Misc. Information, Roy. Bot. Gardens, 
— 8. "389-301. 
8 Pethybridge, G. H. (1915). Journ. Dept. of Agric. & Tech. Inst. 
Ireland, XV. 524-5. 
idgway (1912). ‘‘ Color Standards & Nomenclature.” Plate LIL. 
= a ee M. a we Journ. Agric. Res. XXIII. 4. 285-294. 
ollen .; W. (1920). Arbeit des Forschungsinstitutes fir 
Kartoficthen Heft 2 
XXVII.—PARACTAENUM NOVAE-HOLLANDIAE. 
D. K. Hueues. 
The identity of the genus Paractaenum described in Beauv. 
Agros. 47, t. x, f. 6, has long been a matter of doubt. Bentham 
in Fl. Austral. vii. 475, considered it as a depauperate form of 
Panicum gracile R. Br., but the spikelets, especially in shape 
and nervation, are quite ‘different. In the British Museum there 
“ Tles Stériles ’ (probably Shark’s Bay) in 1802, and is possibly 
the plant described by Beauvois, as it is very similar to his illus- 
tration (l.c.). The analyses of the spikelet agree perfectly, but 
the drawing is incorrect in that each spikelet really lies in a 
cavity between a bristle (which is broad, flat and either acuminate 
or obtuse) and the flattened rhachis. The description ' . * locustae 
in cavitatibus axis subimmersae et ad illum appressae”’ gives a 
truer idea of the inflorescence. The author did not realise that 
the racemes disarticulated from the main axis. This important 
character at once distinguishes it from any of the genera with 
racemose inflorescences allied to Panicum, such as Brachiaria or 
Paspalidium, and shows an affinity rather to Plagiosetum in the 
Cenchrastrae. To this genus, too, it is very similar in the shape 
and nervation of the spikelets, and in the flattened rhachis, 
which, however, does not split up at the apex into a number 
of fine bristles. The species, of which Leschenault’s plant 
is'a very depauperate form, is well known under the name of 
Panicum reversum Mueller, though it has never been identified 
with Beauvois’ plant described over half a century earlier. 
