Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 23 



" clay-pans," near the Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, and Darling Elvers, in this 

 Colony. Although the stems of the grass are so hard and cane-like they 

 send out a number of leafy branches near the top, which cattle greedily feed 

 upon, but whether there is any nutriment in them I am unable to say. In 

 the districts named this grass is often cut for thatching purposes, for which 

 it is admirably adapted. It is said that roofs made of this grass will remain 

 perfectly waterproof over twenty years. It seeds in November, December, 

 and January. 



HEMAETHEIA COMPEESSA, E. Br. 



" Sugar grass." 



A perennial species, with decumbent or creeping stems, often extending 

 the length of 5 or 6 feet, the branches ascending to 1 foot or more. It is a 

 purely coastal grass extending from lllawarra to the Tweed. I have found 

 it in several places near Port Jackson, and often close to salt water. At the 

 first glance this rather harsh wiry -looking grass would not impress any one 

 as being a valuable forage, nevertheless it is a fact that stock of all kinds eat 

 greedily of it. It is said that horses will leave all other herbage to browse 

 upon this grass. It is generally found on low wet soils, or near swamps, and 

 for covering such land hardly any other grass is more suitable, for in a very 

 short time it forms a beautiful green sward. Its seeds ripen during the 

 summer months. This grass can be easily propagated by division of its 

 stems. 



HETEEOPOG-ON CONTOETUS, Ecern et Schult. 

 "Bunch spear grass." 



A perennial species, growing from 1 foot to 3 feet high. It is found in the 

 north-eastern parts of the Colony, and in some places it is fairly plentiful. 

 A strong-growing leafy grass, affording a great amount of herbage, suitable 

 for a cattle run, but when in seed is dreaded by the sheep owner on account 

 of its numerous barbed seeds, which not only injure the wool, but often 

 penetrate the skin and intestines of these animals. I have had this grass 

 under cultivation and it yielded a great amount of rather coarse herbage, 

 which, however, might make good ensilage. The tough fibrous roots of this 

 grass penetrate deeply into the soil, and I can recommend it for binding river 

 banks against the fury of floods, the banks of dams, and any loose earth. It 

 seeds in November and December. 



HIEEOCHLOA EEDOLENS, E. Br. 



" Sweet-scented sacred grass." 



A perennial species, growing from 2 to 4 feet high, which is generally found 

 in moist places on the southern mountains. This grass is worthy of disse- 

 mination on cold, wet, marshy land, or on poor sandy soils near the sea, which 

 it would help to bind with its long tough fibrous roots. ^ There is some 

 diversity of opinion as regards the nutritive qualities of this grass. -How- 

 ever this may be. the succulent herbage is much sought after by all herbi- 

 vora, and we must consider them the best judges at discriminating between 

 good and bad forage. Moreover, this grass is particularly valuable for its 

 fragrance (the active principle being coumarine), and if mixed with damaged 

 hay cattle will eat it, although they may previously have rejected it. If left 

 unmolested for a time it produces a great quantity of seed, which ripens 

 during February and March. 



