Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 11 



banks, binding loose sand, and protecting river banks against the fury of 

 flood waters. This grass should never be sown or planted except in places 

 where it is required to remain permanently, for its numerous underground 

 stems are most difficult to eradicate if they get into cultivated land. The 

 drought enduring qualities of this grass are something remarkable, and if it 

 once gets well established in the soil it is neither affected by very dry 

 weather, nor close grazing, nor from being constantly trampled upon by 

 stock. It is a most valuable pasture grass, which herbivora of all descriptions 

 eat greedily of and fatten on. When grown, under close paddocking, three 

 crops may be cut in one season, and it makes splendid hay. Animals will 

 thrive on the underground steins of this grass. Baron Yon Mueller and L. 

 Eummel give the following chemical analysis made on the very early spring 

 growth of this grass: Albumen, T60; gluten, 6'45; starch, <i'00; gum, 3'10; 

 sugar, 3'60 per cent. 



DANTHONIA BIPAETITA, P.v.M. 

 " A Mulga grass." 



A perennial species growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high. The stems rise from 

 almost bulbous often woolly bases, which probably act as storage reservoirs 

 to the plant, for it withstands the most protracted drought in what is 

 often termed the desert interior, and its light green leaves may often be seen 

 when the surrounding vegetation is somewhat dried up. Ifc is a very 

 nutritious and much esteemed grass, which herbivora of all kinds are fond 

 of. It is found only in the arid interior, where the mulga (Acacia aneura, 

 P.v.M.) tree grows, and in consequence stockmen have given it the common 

 name of those trees. The seeds ripen in October and November. 



DANTHONIA CAEPHOIDES, F.v.M. 



" Oat grass." 



A perennial species, rarely exceeding 1 foot high. It is not found plen- 

 tifully anywhere in the Colony, so can hardly be classed as a valuable forage 

 grass, but what there is of it" stock eat down with avidity. This grass is 

 generally found in the colder parts of the Colony. The seeds ripen during 

 November and December. 



DANTHONIA LONGIFOLIA, E. Br. 



" White-topped grass." 



A perennial species, growing from 1 foot to 3 feet high. A superior pasture 

 grass when found on the rich alluvial flats in the coastal districts, but of a 

 hard wiry nature when found growing under less favourable circumstances. 

 This grass is much improved when under cultivation, and yields a great 

 amount of nutritious herbage, much relished by all herbivora. It will also 

 make capital hay if cut directly the flower-stems appear. The roots of 

 this grass penetrate deeply into the earth, which enables it to withstand a 

 great amount of dry weather. Generally found in the coastal districts and 

 on the high table-lands of the Colony. It is a prolific seed-bearing grass, 

 and the seeds ripen during October, November, and December. 



DANTHONIA PALLIDA, E. Br. 



" Silver grass." 



A perennial species, growing from 2 to 3 feet high. Generally found on 

 rich soils, both in the coastal and western districts. During the summer 

 months it yields a great amount of rich succulent herbage, which is greedily 



