34 



the others, at least two of them, are very common, though rarely occur- 

 ring in great quantity. They are sometimes cut for hay. They can 

 not be recommended for culture, but may be utilized wherever they 

 grow spontaneous^. 



Leersia oryzoides (White Grass; Cut Grass; False Rice). 



This is a handsome grass, the culms decumbent. It is commonly 

 called rice grass, from its strong resemblance to common rice. The 

 leaves are pale green, frequently a foot or more long, prominently veined 

 below, very rough on the margins and on the sheaths. The panicle is 

 about 1 foot long, diffusely branched, the branches mostly in twos, and 

 an inch or two distant. The spikelets are very flat, about 2 lines long, 

 nearly sessile, and borne mostly towards the ends of the long branches. 

 The leaves are so rough on the margins as readily to cut the hand if 

 roughly drawn through it. 



Leersia Virginica (Small-flowered White Grass). 



Iii this species the panicle is much smaller and narrower, and the 

 branches appressed. The spikelets are smaller, the glumes narrower 

 and smoother than in the first. (Plate 24.) 



Leersia hexandra. 



This species occurs in wet ground on the Atlantic and Gulf coast. It 

 also occurs in other tropical and semi tropical countries. It might be 

 utilized in this country, if it becomes necessary, as it now is in some 

 other countries. In Manilla, one of the Philippine Islands (as we learn 

 from the United States consul at that place), this species is cultivated 

 as food for horses and cattle. It is treated like rice, being ^ransplan ted 

 to wet and previously plowed meadows. The local name there is za- 

 cate. 



HILARIA. 

 Hilaria Jamesii (Gietta Grass). 



This is one of the characteristic grasses of the arid districts of Texas, 

 New Mexico, and Arizona, where it is sometimes called black grama. 

 It is found sparingly also in Colorado and Utah. There are several 

 other species growing in the same region, in some places quite abun- 

 dantly. They are relished by cattle, and are considered as next in value 

 to grama grass. (Plate 25.) 



ANDROPOGON. 



This genus is quite largely developed in the United States. They are 

 perennial grasses, mostly tall, and with rough, wiry stems. Some of 

 them occur in nearly all parts of the country from New England to 

 Florida and west to Arizona. They are most abundant, however, in 

 the Southern States, where they have been employed for permanent 

 pastures. When they occur in quantity they can be utilized, but to be 

 of value they should be kept from sending up their strong stems, as 

 these are universally rejected by cattle and horses. Most of the species 



