Order GRAMINE^E. 



GENUS IV. HIEROCHLOE, Gmelin. 



Spikclets panicled, large, broad, pedicelled, laterally compressed, shining, 

 3-flowered, two lower staminiferous, upper fertile. Empty glumes sub- 

 equal, keeled, obtuse, or acute. Flowering glumes similar, awnless, or 

 with a terminal or dorsal short awn. Palea i or 2-nerved. Scales 2. 

 Stamens 2 3. Grain terete, free. DISTRIBUTION OF GENUS : COLD 

 CLIMATES OF BOTH HEMISPHERES. Etymology: Named from 

 two Greek words meaning " sacred grass." 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE SPECIES : 



I. Outer glumes as long as the flowering. 



Culms 2 4 feet. Leaves long ... ... i. H. redolens. 



Culms i 2 feet. Leaves short ... ... 2. H. alpina. 



II. Outer glumes much longer than the flowering ... 3. H.brunonis. 



1. HIEROCHLOE REDOLENS. 



SWEET-SCENTED SACRED GRASS. 



(Plate VI.) 



HOLEUS REDOLENS, Forst. Prod. 92; MELICA MAGELLAN ICA, Desv. in 

 Lam. Diet, IV., 72. HIEROCHLOE ANTARCTICA, R. Brown, Prod. 209 ; 

 Brongn. in Duperr., Voy. t. 23 ; Kunth, Rev. Gram. t. 203. DISARRHENA 

 ANTARCTICUM, Labill. Fl. Nov. Holl., II., 83, t. 232. TORRESIA 

 REDOLENS, A. Cunn. HIEROCHLOE REDOLENS, R. Brown. Hook, fil, 

 Fl. Tasm. II., 108 ; Fl. N.Z., L, 300; Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 321. 



A BEAUTIFUL sweet-scented grass, ascending to 3000 feet altitude. 

 Flowers December February. Perennial. Root-fibres few, wiry. Stems 

 2 4 feet high. Leaves flat, smooth, or slightly scabrid ; ligule broad, 

 membranous. Panicle effuse, 6 i? inches long, nodding, shining 

 brown, branches capillary, slightly hairy, lower 2 3 inches long ; ligule 

 long or short, obtuse, serrate. Spikelets numerous, -inch long and 



