28 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



sheep are fond of. It is worthy of wide dissemination on the south-western 

 plains, for it affords herbage when many other grasses fail during drought- 

 time. This may be accounted for by the fact that its strong fibrous roots 

 penetrate deep into the soil, which enables it to withstand a long spell of 

 dry weather with impunity. Its seeds are borne on ovoid or oblong spikes 

 rarely exceeding 1 inch long. As a general rule it does not perfect a great 

 amount of seed. What little there is, however, ripens in October, Novem- 

 ber, and December. 



NEUKACHNE MIT CHE LLI AN A, Nees. 

 " Mulga grass." 



So called from its frequently being found growing under or near the 

 Mulga scrub (Acacia aneura) in the interior. A perennial species rarely 

 exceeding 1 foot high, the stems of which rise from a thick woolly rhizome, 

 which probably acts as a storage reservoir to the plant in very dry weather, 

 for it will withstand and remain green throughout a very severe drought, 

 even when growing on poor soils. This grass is a general favourite amongst 

 pastoralists, as it affords a fair amount of forage, during adverse times, of 

 which sheep are very fond. It is worthy of being disseminated all over the 

 arid interior, and also on any dry, sandy, or sterile land. This grass pro- 

 duces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in September and October. 



NEUEACHNE MUNEOI, F.v.M. 



" Mulga grass." 



This species grows in somewhat similar situations to the one described 

 last. A perennial grass growing from 6 inches to 1 foot high, the stems of 

 which rise from a more or less woolly or knotty base. It is a very rare grass, 

 and found only in the back country. It does not produce much herbage, 

 but what little there is, sheep eat freely. This grass produces a fair amount 

 of seed, which ripens in October and November. 



OPLISMENUS COMPOSITUS, Beauv. 



" Slender panick grass." 



A slender perennial hairy grass, with decumbent or creeping steins, 

 always found growing under dense shade, and principally in scrubs in the 

 coastal districts. It is not of any value for forage, as stock seldom or never 

 touch it. It is a useful grass, however, for covering ground under the shade 

 of trees, and in a short time forms a fine sward. There is a beautiful varie- 

 gated form of this grass which may sometimes be found cultivated in gar- 

 dens. It is easily propagated by pieces of its stems, as also from seed, which 

 it bears in fair quantities. The seeds ripen during the autumn months. 



OPLISMENUS SETAEIUS, Bcem. et Schultz. . 

 " Slender panick grass." 



A perennial species, which grows in somewhat similar places to the one 

 described last. It is a much more slender-growing grass than the previous 

 one, and, like it, is of little or no value for forage, although it is a useful grass 

 for covering ground under the dense shade of trees, and might be used for 

 such a purpose with pleasing effect. It can be propagated, by pieces of its 

 stem, as also from seed, which it bears in fair quantities. The seeds ripen 

 during the autumn months. 



