180 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



drought seems to subdue it. The genus Eragrostis contains numerous 

 species in the hotter parts of the globe. Of these many would doubt- 

 less be hardy far beyond the tropics and prove of value on pastoral 

 land. 



Eragrostis falcata, Gaudichaud. 



Proved one of the best of pasture-grasses in arid tracts of sub- 

 tropical Western- Australia [Isaac Tyson]. 



Eragrostis pectinacea, Gray. (Poa pectinacea, Michaux.) 



Middle and Southern States of North-America. This perennial 

 grass spreads rapidly over dry ground and even coast-sands. C. Mohr 

 regards it as valuable for pastures, and mentions as such also E.nitida 

 (Chapman) and E. tenuis (Gray). 



Eragrostis spinosa, Nees. . 



South- Africa. This almost reedy grass lives in coast-sands, helping 

 to fix it [A. W. Hey wood]. 



Eremophila longifolia, F. v. Mueller. 



Desert-regions throughout Australia. Reaches a height of 30 feet 

 and a basal stem-diameter of 1^ feet. In the hot season this tall bush 

 or small tree affords food to sheep in desert-tracts, when grass and 

 herbage fail [A. N. Grant]. Sheep browse on many other species of 

 , this highly ornamental genus. All resist drought and great climatic 

 heat. A crude, somewhat peculiar tar is copiously and easily obtained 

 from the wood [Hon. Phil. King]. Hypnotic properties are ascribed 

 to the foliage, which opinion needs however yet confirmation. 



Eremurus aurantiacus, Baker. 



Baluchistan and Afghanistan, 7,000 to 9,000 feet. The leaves of 

 this liliaceous plant form for two months in the year almost the sole 

 vegetable, on which the natives of Hariab depend ; it is an agreeable 

 food, crisp and somewhat hard, but neither tough nor fibrous [Dr. 

 Aitchison]. Likely to become valuable as a spring-vegetable. The 

 young leaves of E. spectablis (Bieb.) are eaten, either fresh or cooked 

 [Dr. Stewart]. 



Eriachne ovata, Nees. 



Western and Central Australia. Though wiry, narrow-leaved, and 

 not a tall grass, it is important for dreary desert regions, as it is peren- 

 nial, tufty, and without awns, and could likely be disseminated with 

 ease. Sheep, horses and cattle are fond of it. Other awnless species 

 would also be recommendable for hot dry regions. 



