NATIVE tlRASSES OF NUUTIIEUX MEXICO. 97 



Hetvrnjmfioii nnifarhis, \l. & S. This i.s probably tlio most 

 jibiindiiiit i^rass of dry liills of igneous rock tiiinly covered with 

 soil. It grows in lall, luirrow cliunps, and i.s a perennial with 

 numerous leafy branches. Stock show a iireference for other 

 grasses if such are to bo found. The hay on sale in Chihiudiua 

 hist spring seemed to bo mainly compos.;d of this idant, usually 

 dead when gathered, and blanched l)y winter weather. During 

 autumn I fouiul its seeds <i iiuisance. Their long bearded and 

 twisted awns sent the slender and rou'di seeds into mv clothin<', 

 and often into my ilesh. Sheep, goats, and even donkeys must 

 find these seeds a terrible annoyance. 



Androjnif/o/i. In'iiijlonis, Kth., is a fine, soft, leafy i)lant, grow- 

 ing in dense clumps, but api)arently confined to hedges, etc. 



A)i(lrojM)(/<iu f<ar(]taroiilvs, Sw., grows in clumps three or four 

 feet tall. In valleys, and the moister depressions of the i)lains, 

 this is a g"ass of some importance. 



Some ten species or more of At'istida are mostly bunch grasses 

 of hills and mountains, of average frequency in such situations, 

 and of full average quality, contributing largely toward the 

 upland 2>Jistures. 



There are two new S2)eeies cf Slipa also, tall and tender jdants, 

 excellent for forage but not abundant. 



There are many species of JfnJilenberfjia of more or less value. 



M. Texana, Thurbcr, is the mesquite grass of our southwest, and 



one of the most valuable species of those regions, common over 



mesas aiul hills. It is such a favorite with animals that it is 



exterminated except when growing uiuler the protection of 



thorny shrubs, usually mesquite bushes (species of ProKopis and 



Acacia). Its leaves are short and scanty, but its branching, 



perennial, wiry stems are nutritious, ami at all seasons furnish 



forage which is greatlv relishe 1 bv all kinds of stock. In Ari- 



zona the Indians bring it during winter and spring long distances 



into the towns to sell, the men tving the bundles behind and 

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