GRAMINE^E 493 



of the Auckland district, in addition to frequently occurring in fields 

 as an escape from cultivation." It is chiefly as an escape that it is 

 met with now (1921) in all parts of New Zealand. 



Avena fatua, Linn. Wild Oat Grass; Havers 

 First recorded in 1871 by Armstrong, from the Canterbury dis- 

 trict. In the Manual (1906) stated to be abundant in waste places 

 and cultivated fields throughout New Zealand. 



Avena strigosa, Schreb. Hairy Oat; 



Bristle-pointed Oat 



I do not find this recorded earlier than 1906, in Cheeseman's 

 Manual, where it is reported to occur in cultivated fields in both 

 islands, not common. It has probably been mostly overlooked. 



Avena pubescens, Huds. Downy Oat-grass 



Recorded by Cheeseman in the Manual (1906) as occurring not 

 uncommonly in fields in Canterbury and Otago. 



Avena flavescens , Linn. Yellow Oat-grass 



Introduced as a pasture grass into Southland in 1870 by the 

 author's father, but does not seem to have established itself. 



Arrhenatherum avenaceum, Beauv. Tall Oat Grass 

 First recorded in 1870 by Kirk from the Auckland district, and 

 in the following year by Armstrong from the Canterbury district as 

 A. bulbosum. Again by Kirk in 1877 from near Wellington. In the 

 Manual (1906) it is stated to occur, but not commonly, in fields and 

 waste places in both islands. 



Cynodon dactylon, Pers. Doab-grass 



First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. In 1877 Kirk stated that 

 it occurred at Castle Point, and also formerly at Te Aro Beach, 

 Wellington. Stated by Cheeseman in 1882 to be plentiful throughout 

 the Auckland district. In the Manual (1906) reported as abundant 

 in fields and waste places in both islands. It is, however, chiefly a 

 tropical or sub-tropical species, and is not common in the southern 

 half of the South Island. 



Triodia decumbent, Beauv. 



First recorded by Cheeseman in 1882 from Kaipara. In the 

 Manual (1906) he records it as not uncommon in fields and waste 

 places in the North Island. 



Eragrostis major, Host. 



In the Manual (1906) this is reported, on the authority of S. J. 

 Vining, to occur at Mangatangi, near Mercer. 



