156 FESTUCA LITTORALIS. 



This variety is probably the most common on the shores of New Zealand, 

 although the smaller sized species common in Eastern Australia is also found near 

 Wellington, and probably in many other places in New Zealand. The variety 

 triticoides may always be distinguished by its greater size 5 -nerved empty glumes, 

 and 7 -nerved flowering glume. It must, from its superior size, be the most 

 Aaluable as a sand binder. These grasses can have little value as food plants, 

 unless cut when they are in flower ; and although succulent at this time, are so 

 sprinkled with sand as to be unfit for food. This is to be regretted, as all littoral 

 grasses contain a considerable amount of soda in their sap secretions, which is 

 invaluable to the health of stock. DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ZEALAND : ABUN- 

 DANT EVERYWHERE IN BOTH ISLANDS, ON DRIFT SANDS NEAR 

 THE SEA. 



Reference to Plate LIV. : Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Floret. 4, 4'. 

 Nervation of empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 6. Nervation of 

 Palea. 7. Scale. 8, 8'. Grain, front and side view. 



