GRASSES 39 



grow undisturbed for a time, produces an abundance of seed 

 which ripens in summer and autumn. 



Umbrella Grass (Chloris acicularis) is found in all the 

 Australian States, but principally in the interior, and generally 

 on sandy or light loamy soils, though I have occasionally seen 

 it growing equally well on much stronger land. This grass has 

 a strong root system, which enables it to withstand much 

 dry weather and remain green throughout ordinary seasons. 

 Generally it grows from one foot to two feet high, and yields a 

 great amount of rich herbage which herbivora of all kinds are 

 fond of and fatten on, sheep particularly. The Umbrella 

 Grass produces an abundance of seed which usually ripens dur- 

 ing the summer and autumn. 



There are ten species and a few varieties of Chloris in- 

 digenous to Australia, and they are widely distributed over the 

 hotter parts of the continent from the coast to the far interior, 

 and fairly abundant in many districts. Most of them are 

 excellent pasture grasses. 



Wallaby Grass (Danthonia semiannularis) occurs over 

 nearly the whole of Australia from the Coast to the far interior, 

 including some of the mountain ranges where snow falls 

 occasionally. No other grass in Australia grows under more 

 varied conditions of soil and climate than the Wallaby Grass. 

 In the coldest districts it grows only six inches high, but under 

 more favourable climatic conditions it attains a height of three 

 feet or more. Although it is not particular as to soil and situa- 

 tion, for it may as frequently be seen growing on dry ridges 

 as on the better classes of soil, still it produces a larger quantity 

 of superior herbage on moderately strong, rich, deep land. 

 It is one of the most valuable Australian grasses, and, unlike 

 most of its congeners, grows more or less all the year round. 

 All kinds of stock are remarkably fond of it, sheep particularly 



