98 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
imagine. At first I thought the heaps were only the remains of 
encampments, as the aborigines sometimes sleep on a little dry 
grass, but when we found the ricks, or hay-cocks, extending for 
miles, we were quite at a loss to understand why they had been 
made. All the grass was of one kind, and not a spike of it was 
left in the soil, over the whole of the ground. . . . We were 
still at a loss to know for what purpose the heaps of one particular 
kind of grass had been pulled, and so laid up hereabouts. 
Whether it was accumulated by the natives to allure birds, or by 
rats, as their holes were seen beneath, we were puzzled to deter- 
mine. The grass was beautifully green beneath the heaps, and 
full of seeds, and our cattle were very fond of this hay.” (See 
“‘ Foods.’’) 
This plant is not endemic in Australia. 
All the colonies except Tasmania. 
106. ‘Panicum distachyum, Linn., (Syn. P. subguadriparum, 
Prin.) BES wil., 475. 
The stems of this grass creep and root at the joints ; it is an 
immense yielder, and is grown for hay in the northern districts. 
This is one of several indigenous grasses tested at Grace- 
mere, near Rockhampton, and considered best for the purpose of 
hay-making. (Bailey). It is not endemic in Australia. 
Northern Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and 
South Australia. 
107. Panicum divaricatissimum, ”.2r., B.FI., vii., 467. 
‘* Spider Grass.” 
Found more abundantly in the warmer inland regions. A 
good perennial and drought-resisting species. It is an excellent 
fodder grass, and grows profusely on light loamy and sandy soil. 
It seeds in November and December. 
All Australia, except Tasmania and Western Australia. 
108. Panicum effusum, 2.2r., B.FI., vii., 488. 
An erect-growing grass, making a good pasture; it is a free 
seeder, and a favorite amongst stockowners. It is a succulent 
