1885.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 527 



Talinum aurantiacum, Eng. 



Elegant little plant, with fleshy leaves and golden flowers, found every- 

 wliere west of the Pecos ; has a tuberous root good to eat when cooked. 



Martyuia fragrans, Lindl. (Toloache.) 



This Unicorn-plant, not unfrequent in Western and Southern Texas, 

 is endowed,- in the fertile imagination of the Mexicans, with the re- 

 markable property of developing, in those to whom it is administered, 

 gradual and permanent insanity. 



Nasturtium ofBcinale, R. Br. (Water Cress.) 



Whether introduced or native, has taken possession of most of the 

 streams in Western Texas. 



Selaginella lepidophylla, Spring. (Sienipre Vive; Rock Rose.) 



Very remarkable moss-like plant, common on the limestone bluffs of 

 the Lower Pecos and of the Eio Grande. While apparently withered 

 and dead, it can be collected and kept for months in a dry place, when, 

 if the roots be placed in water, it begins to unfold its curled and prettily 

 dissected fronds, fully expands and becomes green again, remaining so 

 as long as moisture is furnished. It can be allowed to dry and made 

 to revive again many times before losing its vitality. 



Eurotia lanata, Moq. (White Sage; Winter Fat.) 



Herb of some repute in the Northwest as a winter forage, but of less 

 importance in Western Texas where it is also common, on account of 

 the good quality and abundance of the grass at all seasons. 



It is said, by S. Watson, to impart a disagreeable flavor to the meat 

 of cattle fed upon it, and to be used as a remedy in intermittent fever. 



Ipomcea Jalapa, Pursh., and I. Nil, Roth. 



Two species of Morning Glory rather sparingly found in Southern 

 and Southwestern Texas, with thick napiform roots which are more or 

 less cathartic. 



PASTURE AND HAY GRASSES OF SOUTH AND WEST TEXAS. 



As has already been stated in the first part of this report, the larger 

 part of the State of Texas — that is, about three-fifths of its area — is 

 useless for the purposes of agriculture, but is covered by many species 

 of grasses, which make it excellent pasture-ground. Unfortunately 

 streams and springs are very few, so that immense tracts of luxuriant 

 prairie remain untouched by cattle or sheep on account of the absence 

 of surface water. 



The grasses growing on the plains of New^ Mexico, Arizona, and 

 Western Texas, as well as on the Rocky Mountain plateaus farther 

 north, have acquired a wide reputation " for their rich, nutritious prop- 

 erties, for their ability to withstand the dry seasons, and for the quality 



