44 Census of tlie Grasses of New South Wales. 



weather, when other grasses are scarce. This grass is easily propagated by 

 division of its underground stems. The spring of the year is the best time 

 for this operation. It produces a fair amount of se'ed, which ripens in 

 November and December. There is a variety of this grass (var. paUiJa) 

 which is found on the Richmond and Darling Rivers. (In the latter place 

 it grows on loose sand but it is not plentiful.) Except that it is a little 

 taller and narrower in the leaf, and has a looser flower-spike, its qualities 

 are much the same. 



STIPA ARISTIGLIJMIS, F.v.^I. 

 " Spear-grass." 



A perennial species, growing from 2 to 3 or more feet high, and is found 

 on rich soils, both in the coastal districts and north-western interior, and in 

 some situations it is lairly plentiful. After rains in springtime it makes a, 

 wonderful quick growth, which horses, cattle, and sheep are remarkably fond 

 of, and graziers in general consider it a very fattening grass. "When the 

 herbage becomes old, however, it is coarse and rather harsh, and unless 

 other grasses are scarce, stock will seldom or never touch it. This grass 

 should be burnt off annually, for when this is done the herbage is much 

 improved for a time, and, besides, the troublesome seed awns are destroyed. 

 These, however, are not so troublesome in this^as in some of the allied species. 

 This grass produces an abundance of seed, which ripens in Xovember and 

 December. 



STIPA ELEGAXTISSniA, Labill. 

 ' ; Silver-plumed spear grass/' 



A rather slender many-branched perennial grass, growing from 2 to 4 feet 

 high, and only found in the interior. It is the most elegant of all the Stipas, 

 which is saying a great deal, and is as well worthy of cultivation as the 

 allied one (Sfipa pennata) which may often be seen in gardens. This grass is 

 usually found growing beneath the shelter of some thick bush, 3 or -i feet 

 high. At the flowering season, the elegant plumose panicles force their way 

 through the bush and cover the whole with a mass of beautiful silver net- 

 work, forming a conspicuous object. This grass is only occasionally eaten 

 by stock. The seed awns are not injurious to sheep or cattle. Its seeds 

 ripen in October and November. 



MIPA PLAYESCEXS, Labill. 

 " Spear grass." 



A rather rigid perennial grass, growing from 1^ to 3 feet high, and is only 

 found on the Maneroo Plains and in the extreme southern parts of the 

 Colony. It is of little value, however, as a forage plant, as its fine short 

 leaves soon become hard and wiry. It is one of the troublesome spear- 

 grasses which could be very well spared from pastures. The seed awns of 

 this grass are about 1^ inches long, and often are irritating to the eyes of 

 sheep. Its seeds ripen in November and December. 



STIPA MICRAXTHA, Cav. 

 " Bamboo spear grass." 



A. perennial species, with rigid spreading branches, often several feet high. 

 This grass is found in the coastal districts and also in Xew England, and on 



