THE GRASSES, MEADOWS, ETC. 107 



tions in the valleys. The principal value is found in the 

 numerous seeds, which are retained in the pods with great 

 tenacity, long after they are ripe, serving as a luxurious 

 food for all the graniverous beasts and fowls of the regions 

 where it is grown. 



The Buffalo Grass is found intermixed with the Grama, 

 and seldom grows more than a few inches in height. It 

 forms a thick, soft herbage, on which the traveller walks 

 with ease, and reposes when weary, with delight. It yields 

 a rich sustenance to countless herds of wild horses and cat- 

 tle, buffaloes, deer and antelopes. 



Tornillo or Screw Grass. This grows in great profu- 

 sion in the region of the two last grasses ; but is most con- 

 spicuous on the table- lands, and between the rivers and 

 creeks, the tall grass of the lower levels, giving place to it as 

 the surface ascends. It is taller than the buffalo, with 

 broader leaves. It bears a seed-stock eight or ten inches 

 high, surmounted by a spiral-shaped pod, an inch long and 

 one-fourth of an inch in diameter, which contains ten or 

 twelve roundish, flattened seeds. The herbage is not re- 

 lished by animals, but the ripened seeds yield a food of great 

 richness, on which innumerable herds of wild cattle fatten 

 for slaughter. Horses, mules and most other animals and 

 fowls subsist upon it. (Dr. Lyman.) 



The Prairie Grasses abound in the western prairies, and 

 are of great variety, according to the latitude and circum- 

 stances under which they are found. They afford large sup- 

 plies of nutritive food both as pasturage and hay. They 

 possess different merits for stock, but as a general rule, they 

 are coarse when they have reached maturity, and are easily 

 injured by the early frosts of autumn. Some of the le- 

 guminosse or wild pea vines, which are frequently found 

 among them, yield the richest herbage. We are not aware 

 that any of these grasses have been cultivated with success. 



The Pony Grass (Fig 26) may be mentioned, as one of the 



FIG. 26. 



best of the winter grasses in our western States. It 

 grows in close, thick, elevated tufts, and continues green all 

 winter. It is easily detected under the snow by animals, from 

 the little hommocs which everywhere indent its surface. 

 The Wild Rice which lines the still, shallow waters of 



