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stem taller. In the northern districts it is a common form, with very 
long scabrous, filiform leaves, and in New South Wales, Victoria, and 
South Australia it passes frequently into var. affinis. 
Following are Bacchus’ notes on two forms which may belong to 
this variety :—“ Poa australis—(Wiry-grass)—Perennial ; in flower 
during Novemberand December. A rather low-growing species, from 
9 inches to 2 feet high ; common on the plains and elsewhere. Except 
when quite young, disliked by all kinds of stock. This grass seems 
to have no fattening qualities, but plenty of nutriment for stock to 
subsist on when forced by hunger to eat it. In this way it forms 
frequently their principal food during periods of drought.” (Bacchus.) 
“ Poa australis tenav—Narrow-leaved Poa. Perennial. Found on 
the sides of watercourses and swamps. About 3 feet high; flowering 
in December. Of little value for grazing ; but it may become of use 
as a fibre plant, and is probably the variety referred to by Baron von 
Mueller as the rough, tufty kind of meadow grass growing along river 
banks, used by the natives for making fishing lines and nets. About 
a year ago I noticed what I believed to be a distinct variety of this 
grass, remarkable for the toughness of its leaves.”” (Bacchus.) 
5. Var. tenera, Benth.—A slender, weak variety, with very narrow 
or filiform but flaccid leaves, and a loose spreading, rather small 
panicle, with small spikelets, the glumes scarcely | line long. 
_ Woods and shady places in New South Wales, Victoria, and 
Tasmania. 
The following forms are, with diffidence, referred to var. tenera. 
The names of some of Bacchus’ so-called varieties do not always have 
a holding in science :— 
“ Poa australis decumbens.—Perennial ; flowering late in December. 
A small, delicate grass, with weak, slender stems, and thread-like 
leaves. I first noticed it here growing in some tussocks of dead 
rushes. It grows best in light moist soil, forming a kind of turf or 
cushion. Sheep graze upon it; but I cannot speak with any certainty 
of its merits as a pasture grass.”’ (Bacchus.) 
“ Poa australis humilis—Perennial ; grows 1 or 2 feet high ; leaves 
narrow and succulent; flowering in December. It thrives on hght, 
dry soil, and appears to be a favourite with stock, and may possess 
superior merits for pasture.” (Bacchus.) 
Value as a fodder.—A tussocky, rather wiry grass. It is often eaten 
by stock ; but when it becomes old it is very fibrous, and contains but 
little nutriment. That stock are not partial to it may be noted from 
the frequently luxurious appearance of the tufts in places where 
stock have been running. A fuller account of the fodder value of this 
grass has already been given when dealing with its varieties. 
Other uses.—The different varieties of this grass afford excellent 
paper material. It was formerly used by the Yarra (Victoria) blacks 
for making their net bags (Ballang-cowat). For a figure of such a 
basket, see Brough Smyth’s Aboriginals of Victoria, i, 345. 
Habitat and range.—Found in all the Colonies, also in New Zealand. 
Widely diffused throughout New South Wales. 
