CHAP, xc PASTURE ON CULTIVATED SOIL 327 



to this admirable observer there is, between the grass of Jutland and of 

 Seeland respectively, a difference which is to be attributed to the circum- 

 stance that in spring rain falls more frequently in the former place. In 

 addition, Weber's observations cited on p. 324 show that the vegetation 

 is dependent upon the level of the water-table. 1 



The Icelandic pastures, modified by cultivation to a relatively less 

 extent, have been investigated by Feilberg and Stefansson. 2 The most 

 important grasses present are Festuca rubra, Poa alpina, P. pratensis, 

 and Aira caespitosa ; many others appear on manured spots and near 

 springs. 



In regard to grasslands on the Faroe Isles Ostenfeld's 3 work should 

 be consulted. 



Pasture also occurs in the tropics, where it is always artificial. In 

 Brazil, on old forest soil, one very often encounters pasture which is an 

 extremely dense association formed by the glutinous Melinis minutiflora 

 (capim gordura). A few other plants, including shrubs, may be inter- 

 spersed, but it is this grass that dominates and at flowering time lends 

 to the landscape a reddish-brown colour. 4 



In the West Indies there is pasture which is composed partly of 

 indigenous species and partly of introduced species of Panicum and 

 Paspalum, also of Avena domingensis, Pennisetum setosum, Sporobolus, 

 and others. Mingled with the grasses are certain sedges, including species 

 of Kyllinga and Fimbristylis. There also are species of Cassia, Sida, 

 Cipura, and other herbs and small shrubs. The shrubs would soon sup- 

 press the herbaceous vegetation were they not regularly clipped. The 

 pasture is found on old forest-soil, and did not originally occur on the 

 islands. 



The Sandwich Isles possess unusually extensive grasslands, composed, 

 according to Hillebrand, 5 of Paspalum, Panicum, and particularly of 

 Cynodon Dactylon, though the last-named was introduced within the 

 last few decades. These grasslands have at least been materially modified 

 by man, and probably owe their origin entirely to cultivation. They are 

 described as dense mat- vegetation. 



In regard to the ' cogonales ' on Luzon Whitford's 6 work should be 

 consulted. 



In Australia intact virgin grassland seems to occur ; it is composed 

 partly of such grasses as Poa, Glyceria, Briza, Festuca, and Panicum, but 

 partly of Liliaceae and others. Especially common is kangaroo-grass 

 (Anthistiria ciliata and A. imberbis), whose leaf-structure recalls that of 

 European meadow-grasses. But these grasslands to some extent show 

 steppe-like characters. 



1 See Grabner, 18980, 18986. * Stefansson, 1894. 



3 Ostenfeld, 1908. * Warming, 1892. 



* Hillebrand, 1888. ' Whitford, 1906. 



