71 
Value as a fodder.—A strong-growing grass, producing abundance 
of nutritious fodder when young, but becoming coarse when old. For 
this reason, as also because the barbed seeds are deadly to sheep, it is 
only suitable for large stock. These seeds are far more formidable 
than those of Stipa setacea (see page 114). 
‘Tn India it is largely used as fodder, both before and after it has 
flowered, but chiefly when it is young and tender. In Rajputana and 
Bundelkhand, where this grass abounds, it is cut and stacked after 
the rains are over. It is also cut for hay in the Hissar bir, and 
Mr. Coldstream states that it will keep good in stack for twelve years. 
On Mount Abu the people consider it is the best fodder-grass they 
have. In other districts it is said to be eaten only by buffaloes or by 
cattle when they are hungry and cannot obtain other kinds of grass.” 
(Duthie.) 
Other uses.—Much used in thatching in India. (Duthie.) Hackel 
suggests that the awns may serve as hygrometers. Lamson-Scribner 
‘points out that the strong rhizomes and tough roots of this grass 
commend it as a soil-binder for river-banks, dams, &c. 
Fungus found on this grass.—Cerebella andropogonis, Ces. 
Habitat and range.—In the North Coast districts of this Colony, 
extending through Queensland and Northern Australia; also extends 
over tropical and sub-tropical Asia, Africa, America, and the Pacific 
Islands. 
25. ISCHAMUM. 
Spikelets in pairs in the alternate notches of the articulate flexuose 
rhachis of simple spikes, one sessile with one hermaphrodite terminal 
flower and a male one below it; the other pedicellate and either 
similar or with only one hermaphrodite or one or two male flowers or 
reduced to empty glumes. 
Spikes either solitary or two or more, sessile or nearly so at the end 
of the common peduncle. 
Glumes in the sessile spikelet four, the outer one the largest, awn- 
less, truncate or two-toothed at the top. 
Second glume keeled and sometimes produced into a short, straight 
awn. 
Third glume rather smaller, thin, enclosmg a palea and three 
stamens. 
Terminal glume a twisted and bent awn, attenuate or hyaline and 
bifid at the base as in Andropogon. 
Palea small and thin or none. 
Styles distinct. 
Grain enclosed in the glumes, but free from them. 
Spikelets both two-flowered and awned ; outer glumerigid ; spikes two 
or three, rarely four, erect, often appressed so as to appear 
like one cylindrical spike ; nodes bearded. 
Stems 2 or 3 feet high; awn exserted. 
Spikes 3 to 4 inches, spikelets 4 to 5 lineslong... _... .. 3 I. triticeum. 
Spikes 14 to 3 inches, spikelets about 3 lines long BG .. 4 I. australe. 
