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the animals would not be congregated in very large numbers at 

 any particular point. It is easy to imagine, if such a thing did take 

 place, that scores of the weaker ones would be trampled to death. 

 The stacks should, of course, be protected with fencing, in order to 

 keep the animals oft" during the time that herbage was plentiful in 

 the pastures. Following are the descriptions of those illustrations 

 which accompany this chapter : 



Amiropogon bombycinus (R. Br. " Silky heads.") This erect- 

 growing perennial grass, which attains a height of from one and a 

 half to three feet, is found all over Australia, but principally on the 

 plains in the far interior. It generally grows on the richest of soils, 

 though the writer has occasionally seen it growing on stony ridges. 

 It will withstand a phenomenal amount of dry weather in any situa- 

 tion where its strong, wiry roots can penetrate easily into the earth. 

 Like many other species of the genus Andropogon, the base of the 

 stems on being bruised emit a strong aromatic perfume. During 

 the early summer, and sometimes in the autumn months, this grass 

 makes a quantity of succulent, leafy herbage which stock are fond 

 of. When the grass becomes old, however, the herbage is some- 

 what harsh, and then it is seldom, or never eaten unless other feed 

 is scarce. The writer has had this species under experimental 

 cultivation, where it proved a very prolific grass, and the herbage 

 lost that harshness, even when it was old, that characterises it 

 when grown on uncultivated land. The seeds usually ripen during 

 November, December, and January, though occasionally in the 

 autumn months. 



Anthistiria avenacea (F.V.M." Tall oat grass "). This perennial 

 grass is found all over Australia, from the coastal districts to the far 

 interior, but principally in the latter portion of the continent. It is 

 only found on the richest of soils, and often in a good season may 

 be seen growing rive feet high. It generally grows in tussocks, and 

 produces a quantity of leafy herbage at the base, which, when 

 young, cattle are remarkably fond of and fatten on. After the 

 flower stems have developed, however, they become hard and cane- 

 like, and when in this state cattle will leave the plant for more 

 tender herbage. Under ordinary conditions it produces a great 

 amount of seed, which usually ripens during October, November, 

 December, and January, though occasionally in the autumn months. 

 The seeds are large, and in appearance somewhat resemble oats 

 {Avena satira, Linn.). 



Anthistiria ciliata (Linn. u Kangaroo " grass). This is one of 

 the most widely-distributed grasses on the Australian continent, 

 and at one time was supposed to be exclusively Australian. It is, 

 however, found in many countries, including New Guinea. In the 

 tropical parts of Australia it grows more or less all the year round. 

 In the southern portion of the continent it is essentially a summer- 

 growing grass, for it seldom starts into growth before October or 

 November. On good soils it is an excellent pasture grass, which 



