Census of the Grasses of New South Whales. 33 



of. In the western districts I have seen this grass beautifully green in 

 January when the surrounding herbage was dry looking. But this may be 

 accounted for by its tough, fibrous roots, penetrating deeply into the soil 

 and helping it to sustain its verdure under trying circumstances. Under 

 cultivation this grass is much improved as regards the bulk of herbage it will 

 yield, and if cut when the flower stalks first appear it can be made into 

 excellent hay. I can highly recommend this grass for permanent pasture. 

 It produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in November and December. 



PANICUM MAKGINATUM, E. Br. 



" Variable panick grass." 



A rather slender, rigid, perennial grass, with decumbent stems, and gene- 

 rally found in the coastal districts. It is a most variable grass, both as 

 regards the size of the stems, leaves, and inflorescence, and often a difficulty 

 is experienced in uniting all its varied forms under one species. The only 

 way that this can he done accurately is by examination of the fruiting glume, 

 which is always densely hairy, a peculiarity that has not been observed in 

 any other Panicum. This grass is of no value for forage, although it 

 might be useful for binding embankments and any loose earth. This grass 

 produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens throughout the summer months. 



PANICUM MELANANTHUM, E.v.M. 



" Black panick grass." 



An annual (?) glabrous grass, growing from 1 foot to 3 feet high. It is gen- 

 erally found in damp places in the coastal districts, in New England, and in 

 some of the western districts, but it is not plentiful anywhere. It is worthy 

 of dissemination, however, on all moist lands, for in such situations, during 

 the summer months, it produces a fair amount of herbage, which is much 

 relished by stock. This species is easily distinguished by its large panicles 

 of dark coloured seeds. It produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in 

 December and January. 



PANICUM MITCHELLII, Benth. 



" Mitchell's panick grass." 



An erect perennial grass, growing from 2 to 4 feet high, and is generally 

 found in the arid interior, but also more sparingly in the north-eastern dis- 

 tricts. On the rich loamy plains of the interior it produces a great amount 

 of rich, succulent herbage, which stock of all descriptions are remarkably 

 fond of. Under cultivation it is a most prolific grass, and if cut directly the 

 flower stems appear it makes splendid hay. I can highly recommend this 

 grass, either for general pasture or to be grown for hay, and it is even bulky 

 enough to be used for ensilage. It produces an abundance of seed, which 

 ripens in November and December. 



PANICUM OBSEPTUM, Trin. 

 " Mud panick grass." 



A weak glabrous perennial grass, with the bases of the stems creeping in 

 the mud and shortly ascending. It is usually found on the borders of ponds, 

 both in the coastal and New England districts, but nowhere very plentiful. 

 It is of very little value for forage, but cattle will occasionally browse on it. 

 This grass produces very little seed : what little there is, however, ripens 

 during the summer months. 



