GRASSES OP IOWA. 



177 



Caledonia frequently bore in to the skin and intestines where 

 they cause fatal inflammation. The following very full account 

 is from Dr. M. Stalker:* "You ask whether the fruits of the 

 porcupine grass {Stipa spartea) are ever a source of inconven- 

 ience or injury to living animals? This may be very emphatic- 

 ally answered in the affirmative. In many of the northwestern 



Fig. 74 B. Needle grass (Stipa comata) a, spikelet showing awned fruit; b, lower 

 glumes removed. (After Lamson-Scrlbner. Dlv. of Agrost. U. S. Dept. of Agrl.) 



counties of Iowa this grass grows in the greatest profusion, 

 and during the latter part of June, the season for maturing and 

 consequent falling of these spines, they are the 'occasion of 

 much annoyance and in some instances the death of domestic 

 animals. Only such animals as are covered with wool or a 

 thick growth of long hair are seriously inconvenienced. Sheep 

 suffer most. The spines readily find a lodgment in the wool> 



*Bessey. Injuriousnessof Porcupine grass. Am. Nat. 18: 929. 

 12 



1884. 



