72 DANTHONIA CUNNINGHAMII. 



one half of the panicle, and it is sometimes difficult to find a single twisted 

 awn on an entire panicle. 



Much that has been said regarding the economic value of the various species 

 of Arundo as fodder plants, may also be applied to the large tussac Danthonias, 

 but the full value of these large grasses cannot be satisfactorily proved without 

 a certain amount of cultivation. The Danthonias possess a superior adaptation 

 to the climate of New Zealand to introduced grasses, as many of the latter 

 when left to their own resources soon disappear, while the smaller species of 

 Danthonia are increasing every season, and displacing the introduced grasses. 

 They are certainly more permanent than many of the common exotics, such, for 

 instance, as Loliiim perrene, which often requires continued sowing to preserve 

 it. In agriculture they also compare favourably with exotics as fodder 

 plants if cut down at the proper time. Horses and cattle eat the succulent 

 panicles of the tussac species when in flower or seed, with apparent relish, and all 

 kinds of stock feed greedily on the young growth after burning. DISTRIBUTION 

 IN NKW ZEALAND: FROM SEA-LEVEL AT HICK'S BAY, AUCKLAND, 

 TO SOUTHLAND J. Buchanan ; STEWART ISLAND W. Petrie. 



Reference to Plate XXIX. : Fig. 1. Branch of a Panicle. 2. Spikelet. 

 3. Floret. 4, 4'. Nervation of empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 

 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 8. Ovary, styles, and stigmas. 9. Grain. 



