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Botanical description (B. F1., vi, 615).— 
Stems tufted or creeping and rooting at the base and shortly ascending like the 
Cynodon dactylon, or rarely above 1 foot high. 
Leaves flat, ciliate, flaccid, with long points. 
Spikes usually three to five, digitate, and under half aninch in most of the Australian 
specimens, but sometimes 1 inch long, the angular rhachis prominent on the 
upper or inner side, the spikelets regularly and very closely packed at right 
angles to it on the opposite side. 
Outer glume about 1 line long, acute, the second broader, obtuse, or emarginate, 
the keel produced into a short dorsal awn, the rhachis of the spikelet produced 
above the outer glumes, but glabrous. 
Flowering glumes broad, complicate, tapering into short spreading points. 
Pericarp loose over the enlarged ovary, disappearing from the ripe rugose seed. 
Value as a fodder.—An excellent grass for the hotter, drier parts of 
the Colony, and worthy of every encouragement. In the Bourke dis- 
trict, for imstance, it grows luxuriantly, and Mr. D. G. Macdougall 
reports it as a grass “ possessing wonderful nutritious properties, stock 
of all descriptions fattening on it quickly.” 
Abundant in all cultivated fields in 8. Carolina, and commonly used 
for hay. (Ravenel, quoted by Vasey.) 
It is generally considered to be a very nutritious grass, both as 
forage and fodder. In the Lahore district it is said to be eaten by 
cattle, but not by horses. (Duthie.) 
Other uses—In India the grain is sometimes used for food by the 
natives in times of scarcity. The Mohave Indians of California also 
use the grain for food, grinding it and making the flour into cakes or 
mush. (Orcutt, quoted by Lamson-Scribner.) 
A decoction is prepared from the seeds, which issused in Africa for 
inflammation of the kidneys. (Hackel.) 
Habitat and range-——Found in all the colonies except Tasmania, 
also in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. It is found in the interior 
of New South Wales. 
It is a common weed of warm countries. 
2. Eleusine indica, Geertn. 
Botanical name.—Indica, Latin, Indian. 
Vernacular names.—Has been called “Gigantic Couch” near Casino ; 
“Crab Grass” is perhaps the most usual name ; “‘ Crow-foot” ; “‘ Yard 
Grass,” ‘Goose Grass,” “ Crop Grass,” “ Wire Grass,” “Buzzard Grass,” 
** Dutch Grass” are names more or less in use in the United States. 
Where jfigured.—Trinius, Duthie, Kearney, Agricultural Gazette. 
Botanical description. (B. Fl., vu, 615).—A coarse, erect, tufted 
grass, 1 to 2 feet high. 
Leaves narrow, the sheaths flattened and distichous, ciliate with a few long hairs. 
Spikes five to seven, 2 to 3 inches long, digitate, with usually one inserted rather 
lower down, the rhachis prominent on the upper or inner side, the spikelets 
loosely imbricate on the opposite side. Each spikelet 14 to 2 lines long, con- 
taining three to five flowers. 
Glumes obtuse, the lowest small and one-nerved, the second empty one, and the 
lower flowering ones usually three-nerved. 
Pericarp persistent, very loose and membranous, enclosing the rugose seed. 
Value as a fodder.—This is a grass found on the northern rivers, 
butis spreading, and opinions in regard to its value in New South Wales 
