41 



Alopecurus occideiitalis v Rocky Mountain Foxtail). 



This species is indigenous in Montana and Idaho, and is vi-ry com- 

 mon along mountain streams, frequently covering acres of tbe mountain 

 meadows. It is called iu some localities mountain Timothy. It yields 

 a large quantity of fine, bright hay, for which purpose it is often har- 

 vested and highly valued. It is of little value for grazing. Probably 

 under cultivation it would become as useful as the European species. 



ARISTIDA. 



Spikelets one-flowered, in a spicate or an open branching panicle, generally on fili- 

 form pedicels; outer glumes unequal, often bristle-pointed ; flowering glumo narrow, 

 rolled around tbe flower, terminating witb a trifid awn, or apparently tbree-awn<-<l. 

 Palet small and tbin, inclosed in tbe flowering glume. 



The grasses of this large genus are generally either worthless or ot 

 little agricultural value. The perennial species in some localities fur- 

 nish a considerable amount of wild forage of an inferior character. They 

 are very abundant in sandy and sterile soil, especially in the Rocky 

 Mountain region. 



Aristida purpurea. 



Aristida purpurea prevails extensively on the Western plains, and it 

 is said to form an important part of the early feed of the cattle. It grows 

 in bunches, and is about 1 foot high. The panicle is somewhat spread- 

 ing, and the flowers are purplish, with spreading, slender awns, 1 inch 

 or more in length. (Plate 36.) 



STIPA. 



Spikelets one-flowered, terete, spicate, or paniculate. Outer glumes membranaceous, 

 keeled; flowering glume narrow, coriaceous, rigid, involute, witb a simple twisted awn 

 from tbe apex; palet usually small and inclosed by tbe flowering glume. Stamens 

 generally tbree. Tbe flowering glume lias a hardened, often sharp-pointed and bearded 

 pedicel or stipe at its base. 



This genus has its principal range in the region of the Kocky Mount- 

 ains and the Great Plains. They are mostly coarse, rigid grasses, hav- 

 ing little agricultural value. In common with many other kinds they 

 are usually called bunch grass, sometimes beard grass, or feather 

 grass. The more abundant species are Stipa spartea, Stipa comt, and 

 Stipa viridula. These prevail from British America southward, on tho 

 plains, and in the mountains. The genus is particularly distinguished 

 by the awn or beard of the flowering glume, and the sharp-pointed and 

 barbed stipe or base of the glume. Complaint has been made among 

 stockmen of great injury to sheep by the penetration of these sharp 

 points into the wool, and even into the flesh. The awns or feathery 

 appendages are in some species 4 to 6 inches long, and are subject to a 

 spiral twisting when dry, which assists in forcing the seed into the 

 ground for germination. Stipa avenacea is the only species prevailing 

 in the Eastern and Southern States, and is of no agricultural impor- 



