in Extra-Tropical. Countries. 29 



Roxburgh distinctly asserts that " the plant is of two or more years' 

 duration, if suffered to remain." It forms the " staff of life " of the 

 mountaineers beyond Bengal. It reaches a height of 15 feet, with 

 leaves over 3 feet long. The thick stems root at the lower joints, and 

 cattle are very fond of them. The grain is white. The specific limits 

 of the various sorghums are not well ascertained. This belongs to the 

 series of A. Halepensis. 



Andropogon erianthoid.es, F. v. Mueller. 



Eastern Sub-tropical Australia. Mr. Bailey observes of this perennial 

 species, that " it would be difficult to find a grass superior for fodder 

 to this ; it produces a heavy crop of rich, sweet, succulent foliage ; it 

 spreads freely from roots and seeds, and shoots again when fed down." 



Andropogon falcatus, Steudel. 



India and Queensland. Considered by Mr. Bailey a good lawn- 

 grass, as it is of dwarf compact growth, and of bright verdure. 



Andropogon involutus, Steudel. 



From Nepal to China. The " Bhaib-Grass," used for the manu- 

 facture of ropes, string-matting and other textile articles; approaches 

 Esparto in the quality of its fibres; grows readily on dry soil. (Dr. 

 Hance). 



Andropogon Gryllus, Linne. 



In the warm temperate and the hot zone of the eastern hemisphere. 

 A perennial pasture-grass, of easy dissemination, particularly useful 

 in arid climes. 



Ajidropogon Halepensis, Sibthorp. (Sorghum Halepense, Persoon.) 



Southern Europe, warmer parts of Asia, Northern Africa. Praised 

 already by Theophrastus more than 2,000 years ago. Not easily 

 repressed in moist ground. A rich perennial grass, cultivated often 

 under the name of Cuba-grass. All the vernacular names given to 

 this grass should be discontinued in maintaining the very appropriate 

 original appellation " Haleppo-grass." It keeps green in the heat of 

 summer (J. L. Dow), is not eaten out by pastoral animals (Hollings- 

 worth) ; the roots resist some frost ; three tons can be cut from one 

 acre in a single season; it yields so large a hay-crop, that it may be cut 

 half a dozen times in a season, should the land be rich. All kinds of 

 stock have a predilection for this grass. It will mat the soil with its 

 deep and spreading roots; hence it should be kept from cultivated 

 fields. Detrimental to Lucerne on meadows (Rev. Dr. Woolls). In 

 Victoria hardy up to 2,000 feet elevation. 



Andropogon Ischaemum, Linne*. 



Southern Europe, Southern Asia, Africa. One of the fittest of 

 grasses for hot dry sand -regions, and of most ready spontaneous 

 dispersion. Perennial. Succeeds well on lime-soil and that contain- 

 ing gypsum. In its new annual upgrowth it is particularly liked by 

 sheep. It needs burning off in autumn. 



