in Extra-Tropical Countries. 253 



Paspalum distichum, Linn4.* 



The " Silt-Grass." North- and South-America, except the colder 

 regions; elsewhere probably introduced, though now widely natural- 

 ized also in the warmer coast-tracts of the eastern hemisphere. 

 Possibly indigenous to Australia also. A creeping bank- or swamp- 

 grass, forming extensive cushions. It keeps beautifully green 

 throughout the year, affords a sufficiently tender blade for feed, and is 

 exquisitely adapted to cover silt or bare slopes on banks of ponds 

 or rivers, where it grows grandly; moderate submersion does not 

 destroy it, but frost injures it; it thrives well also on salt-marshes. 

 The chemical analysis made in spring gave the following results: 

 Albumen 2-20, gluten I'll, starch T56, gum 1/64, sugar 5'00 

 (F. v. Mueller and L. Bummel). 



Paspalum Iseve, Michaux. 



Southern States of North-America. Perennial. Prof. Phares states, 

 that for successive years two tons of hay of this meadow-grass can be 

 mown from an acre, it almost never seeding when regularly cut. 



Paspalum lentiginosum, Presl. 



Southern States of North-America and Mexico. Spreads by 

 runners and forms a close turf (Dr. Vasey). P. Floridanum, 

 Michaux, of the same region is a tall species of vigorous growth. 

 P. purpurascens, Elliott, is leafy and succulent, and roots at the 

 lower joints. 



Paspalum notatum, Fluegge.* 



From Virginia to Argentina. This is one of the best of fodder- 

 grasses there, forming a dense, soft, carpet-like sward on meadows, 

 and becoming particularly luxuriant and nutritious on somewhat saline 

 soil (Lorentz). Closely cognate to P. distichum. 



Paspalum platycaule, Poiret. (P, compressum, Presl.) 



Warmer regions of North- and South- America. A nutritive pas- 

 ture-grass, particularly eligible for sandy coast-lands (C. Mohr). 

 The creeping stems become closely matted (Dr. Vasey). 



Paspalum scrobiculatum, Linn. 



Through the tropics of the eastern hemisphere widely dispersed, 

 extending to South-Eastern Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia 

 also. A valuable pasture-grass, which will grow on poor land, also 

 on swampy ground. A superior variety is cultivated in India for a 

 grain-crop. This grass furnishes a good ingredient for hay. Its stem 

 sometimes attains a height of 8 feet. Rosenthal pronounces it per- 

 nicious, perhaps when long and exclusive use is made of this grass, 

 or possibly when diseased through fungus-growth. 



Paspalum stoloniferum, Bosc. 



Central America. A fodder-grass of considerable value. 



