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with upright spikes of seed, to whicli many small birds seem 

 partial; this is Eobt, Brown's Panicum phleoides, but according 

 to Fragmenta Phytograpliifi Austi-alice, Vol. viii., page 197, 

 Baron von Mueller finds it identical with Panicum indicum of 

 Linnceus. When introduced on to good laud the wiry character 

 is lost, and it forms a good sward. 



Of all the species found on our low lands none equal for 

 fodder a variety of Panmim Cries Galli Linn. EcldnoMoa 

 stagnina of Palisot de Beauvois ; in its natural state it will be 

 found in or around stagnant water of from 2 to 3 feet in 

 height, but when cultivated it attains the height of 5 or 6 

 feet, the fodder being equal to any of the introduced Sorghums. 

 Panicum virgatum Linn, is another species found along water- 

 courses and in swamps; it produces a fine succulent fodder, but 

 not equal to the last mentioned. This species is also common 

 on the Darling Downs, where it is known as umbrella-grass. 



Pennisetum compressiwi of E. Brown's Prod. This species 

 forms large tufts of grass of a rather coarse nature. When in 

 flower it will be easily recognised by its purple bottle-brush- 

 like spikes. With this may be classed Robt. Brown's 

 Cenchrus australis, a swamp and scrub grass, readily eaten by 

 cattle until its burr-like seeds appear. The broad-leaved 

 variety of this grass, found on the banks of the Pioneer Eiver 

 and other parts of Northern Queensland, is much more succu- 

 lent, and produces a large quantity of coarse fodder. 



* Ph'agmites communis Tri. The common reed is abundant 

 along most of our rivers, and although not a fodder, still is 

 useful for thatching, etc. Andropogon muticus Steudel. When 

 fully grown this species becomes very harsh, but in the early 

 stage of its growth it produces a fair quantity of feed ; entirely 

 a swamp species. Andropogon triticeus E. Br., the tallest of 

 all our grasses is only found within the tropics, where the 

 flower stalks often stand 10 or more feet high, bearing several 

 spikes of flowers resembling ears of wheat. This is the spear 

 grass of the tropic, and is well named, for its awns are ofteti 

 4 or more inches long ; it produces a large quantity of bottom 

 feed, and is only found on rich land. The common blady 

 grass* Imperata arundinacea of Cyril, one of the most frequently 

 met with grasses on rich land, and indeed the commonest 

 grass of the north, produces in a young state a large quantity 

 of feed. On salt marshes or brackish land will often be seen a 

 large quantity of the stiff harsh grass, ^Hemarthria compressa 

 of Eobt. Brown, although coarse, this kind produces a great 

 deal of feed. In company with this another very superior 

 species, Sporololus pallidus, will often be seen keeping up a 

 good sward until well on into the summer month, when it is 

 generally overrun by Dr. Eobt. Brown's Paspalum littorale; of 



