IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 137 



Festuca Coiron, Steudel. 



Chili. A valuable perennial fodder-grass, according to the testi- 

 mony of Dr. Philippi. 



Festuca dives, F. v. Mueller. 



Victoria, from West Gippsland to Dandenong, and the sources of 

 the rivers Yarra and Goulburn. One of the most magnificent of 

 all sylvan grasses, not rarely 12 feet and exceptionally 17 

 high. Root perennial, or perhaps of only two or three years' 

 duration. This grass deserves to be brought to any forest tracts, 

 as it prospers in shade ; along rivulets in deep soil it assumes its 

 grandest forms ; wants a cool clime. The large panicle affords 

 nutritious forage. 



Festuca elatior, Linne.* 



The Meadow Fescue. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle 

 Asia. A perennial grass, attaining a height of several feet. 

 There are several varieties of this species. The tallest follows 

 rivers readily as far down as the tides reach. The ordinary form 

 is well adapted for permanent pastures, has tender leaves, produces 

 excellent tasty nutritious hay, and is early out in the season. 

 Langethal places Meadow-Fescue in value above Timothy and 

 Foxtail grass, though its copiousness is somewhat less. The seed 

 is readily collected. The tall variety (arundinacea) will among the 

 best of eligible fodder-grasses occupy marshy land preferentially 

 and densely. It can be mixed advantageously with F. ovina. It 

 is superior to Rye grass in produce and improves with age. It 

 succeeds also on humid and even swampy ground and in forest 

 land as well with sandy as a calcareous subsoil. Dr. Curl 

 observes, that this and some other Fescues grow vigorously in 

 New Zealand, and yield herbage also in the cool season, when 

 Rye-grass is nearly dormant. The chemical analysis made in spring 

 gave the following results : Albumen 247, gluten 2 '75, starch 

 0-50, gum 2-84, sugar 2-84, per cent. (F. v. Mueller and L. 

 Rummel). F. arundinacea, Schreb., F. pratensis, Huds., and F. 

 loliacea, Huds., are varieties of this species. 



Festuca flava, F. v. Mueller. (Poa flava, Gronov. ; Tricuspis 



sesleriodes, Torr. ; Uralepis cuprea, Kunth.) 



The tall Red-top Grass of the Eastern States of North America. A 

 perennial sand-grass, with wide panicles. 



Festuca gigantea, Villars. 



Europe and Middle Asia. A perennial good forest-grass. 



