Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 43 



it becomes old, however, the herbage is very tough ; then cattle seldom or 

 never touch it. This grass might be utilized for paper-making. It produces 

 plenty of seed, which ripens during the autumn months. 



SPOEOBOLUS INDICUS, E. Br. 



" Parramatta or tussock grass." 



An erect, tufted,_ perennial grass, of 1 foot to 2J feet, and generally found 

 in the coastal districts, and in some places very abundant. In fact, in some 

 places, where land has been broken up and sown down with exotic grasses, 

 the Parramatta grass is now master of the situation, much to the disgust of 

 dairy farmers. Whilst young, it affords capital feed, but when old is very 

 tough and wiry, so much so that it will loosen the teeth of horses and cows 

 when kept too long on pasture where this grass predominates. I have often 

 recommended this species for paper-making. It seems to be as strong as 

 the esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima*) of Spain when they are grown side by 

 side in Australia. This grass is a prolific seed-bearer, and the seeds are 

 eaten by many small birds. They ripen at various times of the year. There 

 is a variety of this grass (var. elonyatus} with narrower leaves, and a longer 

 and looser panicle. "With these exceptions, however, its qualities are much 

 the same. 



SPOEOBOLUS LINDLEYI, Benth. 

 " Lindley's sporobolus." 



An exceedingly pretty perennial grass, growing about 1 foot high, and 

 only found on rich soils in the interior, but nowhere very abundant. During 

 the winter and early spring months it yields a fair quantity of tender herbage, 

 of which sheep are remarkably fond. At one time the seeds of this grass 

 were collected and used as an article of food by the aborigines. It is a pro- 

 lific seed-bearer. The seeds ripen in October and November. 



SPOEOBOLUS PULCHELLUS, E. Br. 



" Pretty sporobolus." 



Another very pretty perennial grass, growing from G inches to a foot high, 

 which is principally found on land liable to periodical inundations in the 

 interior. It is, however, a rather rare species in this Colony. This grass 

 makes its growth during the winter and early spring months, and its tender 

 herbage is eaten by sheep. It does not produce much seed : what little 

 there is, however, ripens in October and IN ovember. 



SPOEOBOLUS VIEaiNICUS, Kuiith. 

 " Salt marsh couch grass." 



A perennial species, with underground creeping stems, from which spring 

 a quantity of leafy herbage, but rarely exceeding a foot in height. This 

 grass is found on the salt marshes in the coastal districts, and in some 

 places it is fairly plentiful. During a greater part of the year it affords a 

 splendid herbage, which stock are remarkably fond of, and they fatten well 

 on it. This littoral grass contains a considerable amount of soda in its stems 

 and leaves, which is invaluable to the health of stock. It is well worthy of 

 cultivation on any salt marshes where it may not be growing, as it could 

 always be relied upon to yield a good herbage during long spells of dry 



