Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries.^ 411 



varieties utilised by the aborigines for nets and cordage. Resisting 

 drought. Well worthy of being naturalised in other parts of the 

 globe. Refer for further information on this and other N.Z. grasses 

 to J. Buchanan's special work, in which P. anceps (Forster) is also 

 mentioned as important. 



Poa Canadensis, Beauvois. (Briza Canadensis, Michaux.) 



The Rattlesnake-grass of South-Eastern America. A valuable 

 swamp-grass. 



Poa Chinensis, Koenig. (Leptochloa Chinensis, Nees.) 



Southern and Eastern Asia, East-Australia. Recommended by 

 Mr. F. M. Bailey as a valuable pasture-grass, perhaps on account of 

 its tender panicles. 



Poa Colensoi, J. Hooker. 



New Zealand, up to 5,000 feet. This tufty grass is greedily 

 devoured by sheep, which thrive well on it. Holds its ground well, 

 being of great vitality [D. Petrie]. 



Poa compressa, Linn. 



Europe, North- and West- Asia. A perennial grass, valuable for 

 pastures. Will grow in pure sand. Has withstood prolonged and 

 severe drought [Edw. Quin]. Also a very eligible lawn-grass. 



Poa digitata, B. Brown. 



South-Eastern and Central Australia. Valuable for fixing wet 

 river-banks and slopes. It forms large stools. Cattle and horses 

 relish the young shoots. 



Poa distans, Linn6. 



Europe, North- Africa, Middle and Northern Asia, North-America. 

 Perennial. It is one of the limited number of tender grasses 

 suited for moist saline soil, and thus affords pasturage on coast- 

 marshes. 



Poa fluitans, Scopoli. (Feslucafluitans. Linn4 ; Glyceria fluitans, R. Brovrn.) 

 The Manna-grass. Europe, North- Africa, Middle and Northern 

 Asia, North- America, East- Australia, New Zealand. Perennial. 

 Excellent for stagnant water and slow-flowing streams. Waterfowl 

 are very fond of it. The foliage is tender. The seeds are sweet 

 and palatable, and in many countries are used for porridge. This 

 grass is indigenous in Norway northward to lat. 69 9' [Schuebeler]. 



