114 
The wide diffusion and variability of this grass have already been 
alluded to. In some forms the panicle is much looser than shown in 
our drawing ; in others, the amount of twist (‘‘ corkscrewness’’) of the 
awn varies, and other points of variation might be mentioned. 
Value as fodder.—Although this is a rather coarse grass, it is useful 
on account of its drought-resisting qualities. It is much relished by 
stock of all kinds, and is very nutritious while young and tender. Mr. 
Bacchus says of it: “ By reason of its early growth of nice tender 
herbage, which stock are fond of, it constitutes a useful part of the 
supply of early annual grasses.” ‘There is no doubt at all that it is a 
really valuable grass before the “seeds” (“spears”) ripen, and hence 
it 1s admissible into the category of ‘ useful plants”’; but a sad draw- 
back to its value is the danger to sheep and wool from these seeds. 
They are produced in large quantities, are caught up by the wool, and 
by the mouth and nostrils. The structure of the “seeds” is suffi- 
ciently shown in the drawing, and they work home as certainly as a, 
corkscrew or a gimlet. Mr. Bacchus says: ‘I once lost 800 out of 
2,000 lambs by placing them ona part of the run which had been 
rested for some time where this grass abounded, and was just begin- 
ning to shed its seeds, which penetrated the skin in hundreds ; and, 
but for being able to get them shorn at once, I believe nearly all the 
lambs would have died.” Mr. Alfred Hawkesworth, who has had a 
good deal of experience in such matters, has been kind enough to give 
me the following note on the terrible havoc spear-grass sometimes 
works with sheep :—“ Of all grasses and weeds, spear-grass seeds are the 
most damaging to sheep and wool. Being straight, and with sharp- 
pointed ends, when once they get attached to the wool they lhe 
parallel with the staples and fibres, and by the movement of the animal 
they work their way on to the skin. In extreme cases the fleece is 
composed of fully 75 per cent. of spear-grass seeds, so persistently do 
they hold on to the wool. When once they geta hold, they never 
fall out. In the same way, when these sharp-pointed seeds enter the 
skin, they work through it, right into the sheep, until they come in 
contact with the vital organs, which results in certain death. I have 
seen them in the heart of a sheep, and even having a hold on the 
bones, from which they could not be pulled ; they would break off. 
J once saw a mob of sheep that had travelled from Hughenden to 
Townsville (Queensland), where they were slaughtered, and the spear- 
grass seeds were so dense and tenacious that they had to be cut 
through, in order that the skins might be released ; also, all through 
the body, to the intestines and lungs, they were present in large 
quantities. The face, also, suffers greatly, making the sheep blind in 
a very short time. I am of opinion that spear-grass country is only 
fit for cattle.’ This bad character must not be borne entirely by 
SS. setacea, as some other Australian species of Stipa contribute to 
this result, and the blame must be borne by them jointly. Spear- 
grasses are also credited with destroying a large number of young 
chickens. 
Stipa spartea is also injurious to sheep in Manitoba, Canada. Mr. 
R, M. Christy observes (Proc. Linn. Soc. 1883-6, p. 57) :—“This 
