20 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



EEAG-EOSTIS PILOSA, Beauv. 

 " A love grass." 



An annual species growingfrom Ifoot to Sfeet high, which is generally found 

 all over the Colony. This grass is not particular as to soil or situation, as it 

 may frequently be seen growing both on stony ridges, and on rich meadow 

 land. On good soils, however, it is a most prolific grass, and during the 

 summer months affords a large amount of good herbage much relished by 

 stock of all kinds. This grass will spring into growth at any time of the year 

 after a shower of rain, and will afford winter feed where frosts are unknown. 

 Under cultivation this grass yields a great amount of herbage which can be 

 may into capital hay. It perfects a great amount of seed, which can be 

 collected at any time during the summer and autumn months. 



EEAGKROSTIS TENELLA, Beauv. 

 " A love grass." 



A delicate erect tufted annual grass, sometimes only 6 inches, at other times 

 nearly 2 feet high. It is principally found on the north-western plains of the 

 Colony, and, during the summer months, forms an excellent pasture grass for 

 sheep. It will also make good hay. This grass is worth disseminating on 

 all our arid plains especially w r here sheep ai;e grazed. It is very easily 

 recognised by its delicate reddish inflorescence, and as it produces a quantity 

 of seed no difficulty would be experienced in collecting it. The seeds ripen 

 in October and November. 



EEIACHNE AEISTIDEA, F.v.M. 



A many-branched perennial species, rarely exceeding a foot and a half in 

 height. It is principally found on the arid plains of the interior where, 

 however, it does not grow very abundantly. "Whilst it is in a young state 

 the herbage is much relished by sheep, but when it becomes old it is often 

 hard and wiry, then it is seldom, or never eaten, except in times of great scarcity. 

 The seeds ripen in October. 



EEIACHNE OBTUSA, E. Br. 



A many-branched perennial grass of variable habit. Sometimes it is only 

 a few inches high, at other times it exceeds '2 feet in height. This species is 

 pecular to the back country where it grows on sandy soils, but not very 

 abundantly. During the early summer months while the herbage is young, 

 it is much relished by stock of all kinds, particulary by sheep. When the 

 herbage becomes old, however, it is of a hard wiry nature, and it is seldom 

 eaten except when other herbage is scarce. The drought-enduring qualities of 

 this grass are something remarkable, for it does not seem to be much affected 

 either by the extreme heat of summer, or the other extreme of cold in 

 winter. This grass is worthy of dissemination on the arid sandy plains of 

 the interior where very few other kinds of grasses could exist. It produces 

 a fair amount of seed which ripens in October and ]N"ovember. 



EEIOCHLOA ANNULATA, Kunth. 

 " Early spring grass." 



A perennial species growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high. A superior pasture 

 grass found in the coastal districts, and the colder parts of the Colony. It 



