186 



cattle but have never seen the culms or root-leaves touched by them. 

 On the other hand, reliable writers have asserted that cattle, horses, 

 and swine are alike fond of it." (Gould, quoted by Yasey.) 



Other uses. The seeds are sweet and palatable, and in many 

 countries used for porridge. 



" This grass yields a very nutritious and highly palatable grain, 

 which is collected by Kussian peasants. The peasant takes an old 

 felt hat, and, wading in the water, skims the hat amongst the patches 

 of Glyceria when the grain is ripe, and the seeds fall into the hat. 

 Their collection is an important branch of industry." (Pkarm. Journ., 

 xv, 548.) 



" It is cultivated in many parts of Germany for the sake of its seeds, 

 which are esteemed a delicacy in soup and gruel. When ground into 

 meal they make bread very little inferior to that from wheat." 

 (Schreber.) 



Fish and all graminivorous birds are exceedingly fond of these seeds. 



' ' Trout, and, indeed, most fish, are very fond of them. Wherever it 

 grows over the banks of streams the trout are always found in great 

 numbers waiting to catch every seed that falls." (Gould, quoted by 

 Yasey.) 



Habitat and range. Found in all the Colonies except Queensland. 

 Coast district, and tableland from New England south. Always found 

 in or near water. A cosmopolitan species. 



" Grows in shallow water on the margins of lakes, ponds, and 

 sluggish streams." (Vasey.) 



' ' This grass is found growing in shallow water, overflowed meadows, 

 and wet woods, but will bear cultivation on moderately dry grounds." 

 (Gould, quoted by Yasey.) 



3. Glyceria latispicea, E.v.M. 



Botanical name. Latispicea Latin, latus, broad; spicea, belong to 

 ears of corn, the spikelets being broad. 

 Synonym. Poa latispicea, F.v.M. 

 Botanical description (B. Fl., vii, 658.) 



Stems erect, attaining 2 or 3 feet. 



Leaves flat, glabrous, the ligula long and jagged. 



Panicle narrow, the branches very short, erect, each bearing one to three spikelets, 

 the lower ones distant. 



Spikelets rather broad and loose, ^ inch long or rather more, pale-coloured, six- to 

 twelve-flowered, the rhachis as well as the glumes glabrous or very minutely 

 hairy. 



Outer glumes obtuse, five-nerved ; flowering ones 3 to 4 lines long, seven- or nine- 

 nerved, rounded on the back as in the rest of the genus, but the midrib reaching 

 the obtuse hyaline apex, the lateral nerves faint and shorter. 



Grain oblong, flattened but concave on the inner face. 



Value as a fodder. Not definitely known, but probably a valuable 

 grass. 



Habitat and range. Found in New South Wales and Queensland. 

 In New South Wales, from New England to the interior, in moist 

 situations. 



