38 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



PASPALUM SCEOBICULATUM, Linn. 

 " Ditch millet." 



An erect, quick-growing perennial grass, generally found in wetland in the 

 coastal districts, where it usually attains a height of 1 foot or 2 feet. I have 

 found this grass growing quite common near Eookwood. It is of little or no 

 value for pasture, and, except when it makes its young growth in spring, 

 stock seldom or never touch it. During the autumn months the flowers of 

 this grass are terribly subject to parasitic fungi. Fifteen years ago I first 

 observed fungoid growth on this grass, and it occurs annually, often blighting 

 the whole panicle. What seed this grass does produce it ripens in March 

 and April. In Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom, p. 113, speaking of injurious 

 grasses, he says : " And a variety of Paspalum scrobiculatum, called Hureek 

 in India, which is perhaps the Ghohona grass, a reputated Indian poisonous 

 species, said to render the milk of cows that graze upon it narcotic and 

 drastic. .... The Menya or Kodro of India, a cheap grain, regarded 

 as wholesome, is another variety of this species." Church " Food Grains of 

 India," gives the following composition of Kodro or Koda Millet (husked) : 



In 1 Ib. 

 In 100 parts. oz.gr. 



Water, 117 T382 



Albuminoids 7'0 I- 52 



Starch 77'2 12'154 



Oil 2-1 0-147 



Fibre 0'7 0'49 



Ash 1-3 0-91 



PENNISETUM COMPEESSUM, E, Br. 



" Swamp fox-tail grass." 



A very scabrous perennial species, growing into large tussocks, and gener- 

 ally found in or about swamps, in the coastal districts, but also in ]S"ew 

 England. To render this grass of any value for forage it requires to be 

 burnt off annually ; then for a few months the herbage, although coarse, is 

 eaten by stock. This grass has on more than one occasion proved a valuable 

 stand-by for stock when drought has been stalking throughout the land and 

 other herbage burnt up. It produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in 

 January and February. 



PENTAPOGON BILLAEDIEEI, E. Br. 

 " Five-awned grass, 



A hairy-leaved annual grass, growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high, and 

 only found in the southern districts. It is not considered a good pasture 

 grass, although sheep will eat it, but in doing so they sometimes pull the 

 plant out of the ground. This grass produces a fair amount of seed, which 

 ripens in February and March. 



PEEOTIS EAEA, E. Br. 



" Comet grass." 



A slender growing perennial grass, rarely exceeding a foot in height, and 

 principally found in the north-western interior. It generally grows on rich 

 soils in open country, and during the early summer months, whilst the 

 herbage is green, is freely eaten by sheep. "When it becomes old, however, 

 it is seldom eaten, for it has rather a forbidding appearance. Its flower 



