Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 143 



Cynodon Dactylon, Cl. Richard.* (Capriola Dectylon, Adanson.) 



Widely dispersed over the warmer parts of the globe, thus as 

 indigenous reaching the northern parts of the colony of Victoria ; 

 stretching also into Middle Europe and West-England. Hardy in 

 Norway to lat. 63 52' [Schuebelerj. Passes under the names of 

 Bermuda- Grass, Indian Couch-Grass, Doab, Doorba or Doorva and 

 Bahama- Grass. An important grass for covering bare, barren 

 land, or binding drift- sand, or keeping together the soil of abrupt 

 declivities, or consolidating earth-banks against floods ; suffocates 

 weeds. It is not without value as a pasture-grass ; resists extreme 

 drought, and may become of great importance to many desert- 

 tracts, as it keeps alive even in the hottest and driest parts of 

 Central Australia ; also one of the best of all grasses in tropical 

 countries for hay [Eggers]. Placed likewise above all other 

 grasses for pasture and stable-value in Louisiana [Seiss]. In 

 seasons of dearth pastural animals will even unearth the roots of 

 this grass, greatly relishing them. Difficult to eradicate, but for 

 permanent pastures on exhausted land in mild climes not surpassed. 

 Clings with pertinacy to any soil it gets hold of. The dispersion 

 is best affected by the creeping, rooting stems cut into short pieces ; 

 each of these takes root readily, but it can be also disseminated, 

 and grains are now always in the seed-markets. In arable land this 

 grass, when once established, cannot easily be subdued. The stems 

 and roots are used in Italy for preparing the Mellago graminis. 

 Roxburgh already declared this grass to be by far the most common 

 and useful for pastures of India, particularly in the drier regions ; 

 that it flowers all the year, and that it forms three-fourths of the 

 food of the cows and horses there. Excellent also as a lawn-grass 

 in mild climates, on account of its dwarf and creeping growth and 

 as enduring trampling pertinaciously. Well fitted along with 

 small creepers to cover verdantly the soil as well as the margin and 

 sides of tubs containing palms or fern-trees or other larger plants. 

 Chemical analysis, made very early in spring, gave the following 

 results : Albumen 1'60, gluten 6'45, starch 4,00, gum 3'10, sugar 

 3*60 per cent. [F. v. Mueller and L. Hummel]. 



Cynosurus cristatus, Linne. 



The Crested Dogstail-Grass. Europe, Northern Africa, Western 

 Asia. A perennial grass, particularly valuable as withstanding 

 drought, the root penetrating to considerable depth. The stems 

 can also be used for bonnet-plaiting. Though inferior in value for 

 hay, this grass is well adapted for permanent pasture, as it forms 

 dense tufts without suffocating other grasses or fodder-herbs. 

 Recommended also as an admixture to lawn-grasses by Hein and 

 others. The percentage of nutriment in this grass is recorded as 

 very high by Dr. Stebler. Mr. W. F. Salmon finds this the best 

 grass for the hilly country of Gippsland, increasing the carrying 

 capabilities of his land at least a sheep per acre above other 



