Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 45 



low moist lands it is fairly plentiful. It sprouts prolifically from the joints, 

 and during the early part of the year these dense tufts of leaves are much 

 browsed upon by cattle and horses ; the latter seem to be particularly fond 

 of this grass. It is much improved by being burnt off annually. When 

 this is done in the spring of the year, it will make a lot of valuable herbage 

 during a greater part of the summer. The seed awns of this grass are very 

 small ; consequently they are not at all troublesome to stock. The seeds 

 ripen in December, January, and February. 



STIPA PUBESCENS, E. Br. 



" Spear grass." 



A tall perennial species, often over 3 feet high, and generally abundant 

 in the coastal districts, but more sparingly on the Blue Mountains and in 

 New England. This grass produces a fair amount of herbage, and whilst 

 young is much eaten by stock. When it becomes old, however, the herbage 

 is hard and wiry, and is seldom or never eaten. This grass should be burnt 

 off annually. Its seed awns, which are often over 2 inches long, are very 

 troublesome to the eyes of sheep, and often get entangled in and deteriorate 

 the wool. The seeds ripen in November and December. 



STIPA. SCABEA, Lindl. 

 " Spear grass." 



A rather slender tufted perennial grass, rarely exceeding 2 feet high, which 

 is found only on dry soils in the arid interior. It is a capital drought- 

 resisting species, and during the summer months it yields a fair amount of 

 herbage, of which sheep are particularly fond. When the seeds of this 

 grass are ripe, however, their adherent awns, which are often more than 3 

 inches long, are very troublesome to the eyes of sheep, and are often difficult 

 to get out of the wool. This grass does not produce so much seed, how- 

 ever, as some of its congeners. What there is, however, ripens in November 

 and December. 



STIPA SEMIBAEBATA, E. Br. 



" Spear grass." 



A stout perennial species, growing from 2 to 3 or more feet high, which is 

 generally found in the colder parts of the Colony. During the early part of 

 summer 'it yields a fair amount of herbage, which cattle and horses graze 

 upon. In the autumn months, however, the herbage becomes very hard and 

 wiry ; then stock seldom touch it. This grass should be burnt off annually, 

 for besides destroying this coarse herbage, most of its dangerous seeds and 

 seed awns would be consumed. The panicles of this grass are often 10 

 inches long, and they bear numerous seeds, the awns of which are sometimes 

 nearly 4 inches long. It is an undesirable grass to have in pastures, for the 

 seed awns are not only dangerous to the eyes of sheep, but they get entangled 

 in the wool. The seeds ripen in November, December, and January. There 

 is a variety of this grass (var. mollis) which is somewhat coarser, and the 

 foliage is usually covered with soft hairs. With these exceptions, however, 

 its qualities are 'much the same. This variety is mostly found in the coastal 

 districts. 



