40 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Andropogon bombycinus, R. Brown. 



Australia. This robust grass, which is generally well spoken of 

 by graziers, seems to like a somewhat strong soil, and is often found 

 among rocks on hill-sides. The bases of the stems of this species, 

 like those of several others of the genus, are highly aromatic [Bailey]. 

 Will live in shifting sand, and endures the hottest desert-clime. The 

 Australian A. procerus (R. Br.) and the Mediterranean A. laniger 

 (Desf .) are closely allied congeners. 



Andropogon Calamus, Royle. 



Central-India. The " Sweet Cane " and " Calamus " of Scripture, 

 according to Calcott; it is regarded as the aromatic reed of Diosco- 

 rides by Royle. From this species the gingergrass-oil of Nemaur, 

 an article much used in perfumery, is distilled. It is the " Cusha " 

 of India. Gibson and Dalzell regard it identical with A. nardoides 

 (Nees) of South-Africa. 



Andropogon cernuus, Roxburgh.* (Sorghum cemmim, Willdenow.) 



One of the Guinea-corns. India, where it is much cultivated, as 

 in other tropical countries. It is annual according to Hackel, but 

 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. Sorghum. 



Andropogon erianthoides, F. v. Mueller. 



Eastern sub-tropical Australia. Mr. Bailey observes of this peren- 

 nial 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." Mr. Fred. Turner states, that this grass is particularly 

 relished by pasture-animals. 



Andropogon falcatus, Steudel. (Gremochloafalcata, Hackel. 



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

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



Andropogon fllipendulinus, Hochstetter. (A. lachnatherus, Bentham.) 



Warmer regions of Australia, also in Eastern Africa. Much liked 

 by pasture-animals; grows readily in poor stony ground [A. R. 

 Crawford]; forms very large patches. 



