124 



seeding. This grass possesses a large adaptation of growth to varied 

 soils, although most abundant on arid clay land, probably from the 

 absence there of larger grasses ; yet, on good soil, when sheltered by 

 shrubs, it attains its greatest height, and is greedily eaten by horses 

 and cattle/' (Buchanan.) 



Habitat and range. Found in all the Colonies, including New 

 Zealand, and occurring in most parts of New South Wales. 



4. Deyeuxia Billardieri, Kuntli. 



Botanical name. Billardieri, in honour of La Billardiere, #<?, p. 117. 

 Synonym. Included under Agrostis Solandri by Mueller. 

 Vernacular names. Same as preceding species. 



Where figured. Labillardiere, as Avena filiformis ; Buchanan ; Agri- 

 cultural Gazette. 



Botanical description (B. FL, vii, 580). 



Stems sometimes very short and tufted, usually about 1 foot high or more, leafy to 



the inflorescence, which is usually enclosed at the base in the broad sheath of 



the upper leaf. 

 Panicle, when fully out, often nearly 1 foot long, though sometimes much smaller, 



with long capillary divided branches in regular whorls. 

 Outer glumes very narrow and pointed, about 3 lines long. 

 Flowering glume not half so long, quite glabrous, with two narrow pointed teeth, 



the dorsal awn attached much below the middle, and rather longer than the 



outer glumes. 

 Paled shorter and narrow. 

 Rhachis produced into a hairy bristle. 



Value as a fodder. Annual on dry clay hills, and perennial on good 

 moist land. Fodder value same as the preceding species. 



Habitat and range. Found in all the Colonies. In New South 

 Wales extending from the coast north of Port Jackson west to the 

 highest mountains of the New England district. Speaking of New 

 Zealand, Buchanan states that it has a very extensive range of growth 

 and adaptation to circumstances of soil, moisture and heat, growing 

 with equal vigour in littoral swamps, on sand-hills, and good pasture 

 land. 



5. Deyeuxia plebeia, Bentb. 



Botanical name. Plebeia Latin, poor, mean; hence small and dwarf. 

 This grass is small and slender. 



Synonym. Included under Agrostis Solandri, by Mueller. 

 Botanical description (B. FL, vii, 580). A slender, tufted, erect 

 grass, of 6 to 10 inches; apparently annual. 

 Leaves very narrow, almost filiform. 

 Panicle narrow but loose, 2 to 4 inches long, the filiform branches scattered or in 



twos or threes, erect or slightly spreading. 

 Outer glumes very narrow, and pointed, under 1| lines long. 

 Flowering glume thin and hairy, about half as long, but with two fine teeth or lobes, 



almost as long as the outer glumes. 



Awn attached very near the base, exceeding the outer glumes. 

 Palea small and narrow. 



Rhachis produced into a minute hairy bristle, almost concealed in the hairs sur- 

 rounding the glume. 



