Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 317 



Panicum frumentaceum, Roxburgh.* 



The " Shamalo- or Deccan-grass." Probably introduced from 

 tropical Africa into South-Asia. A hardy summer-grass, having 

 matured seeds even at Christiania [Schuebeler]. It serves as a- 

 fodder-grass and produces also a kind of millet. In warm moist 

 climes it ripens grains in If months from the time of sowing. 

 The grain much recommended by Mr. C. B. Taylor for culinary 

 purposes. 



Panicum Italicum, Linne.* (Setaria Italica, Beauvois). 



This grass, notwithstanding its name, is also of Asiatic origin,, 

 ascending the Himalayas to 6,500 feet, extending to China and 

 Japan. It even ripens in cold climes, its seeds coming to perfection 

 as far north as Christiania [Schuebeler]. Reared in Switzerland 

 since pre-historic ages ; one of the five kinds of plants, sown 

 ceremoniously each year by the Emperor of China, according to an 

 Imperial custom initiated 2,700 years before the Christian era 

 [A. de Candolle]. It is annual, attaining a height of 5 feet, and 

 is particularly worthy of cultivation as a tender green fodder. In 

 warm climes it can be had all through the year, .according to the 

 time of sowing ; preferentially grown in many parts of East- 

 Australia for stable-animals, producing in the litoral regions there 

 very heavy crops. It keeps weeds down, and is one of the most 

 valuable of soiling* plants ; withstands drought well ; yields early 

 in the season a heavy crop of excellent hay, which dries easily 

 [C. Mohr]. The abundantly produced grain is not only one of the 

 best for poultry, but that of some varieties can be utilised as 

 millet ; considered by many a delicious grain for cakes and por- 

 ridge. The Brahmins hold it in higher esteem than any other grain 

 [Dr. Ainslie] ; called in many places " Hungarian Millet." P. 

 Grermanicum (Roth) is a form of this species. Allied are also the 

 West-Indian Panicum (Setaria) magnum (Grisebach), which attains 

 a height of 10 feet on margins of lagoons, and Panicum mac- 

 rostachyum (N"ees) of East- Australia, South-Asia and tropical 

 America, the latter species highly praised by Mr. R. L. Holmes in 

 Fiji and by Prof. Hieronymus in Argentina. 



Panicum K.oenigii, Sprengel. (P. Helopus, Trinius.) 



Tropical and sub-tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. A good 

 fodder-grass, broad-bladed, in N. W. India especially lauded by 

 Duthie, along with P. antidotale (Retzius). 



Panicum latissimum, Mikan. 



Brazil. A highly ornamental grass. Leaves extremely broad, 

 but hard ; panicle very rich. 



