63 



very rigid, spreading, simple branches of the panicle. A 

 common pioneer on stony hillsides all along the Eastern side, 

 and important in the open Grassveld of the transitional belt 

 around the Karroo extending into Bechuanaland, it is very 

 xerophytic, with short, stout sub-pungent leaves, which rarely 

 exceed 2 inches in length. It is said by the natives to be 

 somewhat poisonous. It is fairly common around the Won- 

 derboom tree near Pretoria. 



Ctenium concinnum occurs in Pondoland chiefly. Also 

 in Natal and the Transvaal. Locally frequent to dominant. 



Cynodon. The cosmopoliton C. dactylon occurs all over 

 South Africa, and is rather variable in its habit. C. pascuus 

 is said by Stapf to be only a shade form of C. dactylon, but 

 it remains fairly distinct, when cultivated, though the dif- 

 ference is only varietal. C. incompletus is one of the most 

 important pioneers in the xerosere all over the Karroo, and 

 the transitional belt, between Karroo and Grassveld. Both 

 species are known as Kweek grasses, C. incompletus some- 

 times being distinguished as "Rechte Kweek gras." The 

 peculiar habit of the Cynodons with creeping stems, which 

 root at the nodes, enables them to take advantage quickly of 

 supplies of surface water, and to colonize bare soil surfaces. 

 They are often ruderal, and everywhere are of importance in 

 the establishing of Grassveld. C. dactylon is typical of the 

 "lair flora" of old cattle kraals or abandoned kafir kraals. 

 It often lines pathways, where the soil has been packed hard, 

 and it colonizes old termites nests. Both species are commonly 

 used for making lawns. They are good grazing grasses, and 

 are liked by all kinds of stock, but in a wilted condition, they 

 have been suspected of being the cause of lamziekte in cattle. 

 In cross section the leaves are very like those of Setaria 

 illustrated below (see Fig. 18), the main vascular bundles being 

 as a rule separated by three smaller ones. The chlorophyll 

 is chiefly in a ring round each vascular bundle. The grooves 

 between the ridges are very shallow. There is little scleren- 

 chyma, and the bundles are not girdered. The Panicums and 

 Digitarias are all similar. 



Cynosurus eohinatus (Crested Dog's Tail) is a Mediter- 

 ranean species introduced into cultivation. 



Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot) is another European species 

 also introduced, ruderal and cultivated. 



Dactyloctenium aegyptiacum (islnane) is chiefly a sand 

 dune and sea shore species along the Eastern coast. It forms 



