48 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JANUARY 
The fact is that Capriola was intended for Panicum sanguinale ot 
for Cynodon, or perhaps for both together, but in no instance has this - 
name been applied to any plant which can be identified with absolute 
certainty as the Bermuda grass, the genus Cynodon of Richard in Per 
soon’s Synopsis. It is to be noted furthermore that Capriola is con 
stantly preceded or followed by another name “ Sanguinaria,’ some: 
times written “‘Sanguinella,” and it seems very significant that this” 
last name is to be recognized as a modern popular one for Panicum 
sanguinale, viz., Paspale sanguin, Blutt-grasz, and Blut-hirse. But 
Capriola is not preserved in any form and gives no clue to its identifr 
cation. It is derived from caper, not as a diminutive, but simply @& 
indicating a plant liked by goats. The occurrence of Cynodon it 
sandy sections of the old world, where goats are kept in large nut 
bers, may well speak for Cynodon as the grass it was made for, espe » 
ially since Panicum sanguinale does not thrive well in sandy soil, but 
prefers the uncultivated grounds near dwellings, vineyards, etc. The | 
popular name of Cynodon is, as we remember, Chien-dent, Hahnen- 
bein, finger-grass, Bermuda-grass, etc. | 
We might add, in order to explain the singular popular name ¢ 
our Panicum sanguinale, that this grass was once known to possess 
“bloody” properties. ‘Thus both Dioscorides and Pliny have described 
a grass: “cui in cacumine caulinum quini sunt aculei veluti digit 
about which they state that when the spikes were pressed into the 
trils a bleeding was produced, and yet this same grass was used 
dressing wounds to stop bleeding. This grass was generally kno 
therefore, as “ Sanguinella” by the Etruscans, while others call 
Capriola. It is interesting to notice that while the former use of 
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