536 Transactions.— Botany. 
the root is not so near the surface of the ground, so stock cannot so soon 
kill it when it is overstocked. It stoles out, covering the ground rapidly, 
and seeds freely ; seeds-stems about eighteen inches to two feet high. Itis 
good for hay, for winter fodder, and for grazing. 
Gynerium argenteum, Pampas Grass.—This is a noble grass, with seed- 
stems 10 feet high if allowed to seed, but, if within reach of stock, they will 
keep it low, being particularly fond of its rather coarse leaves. It contains 
a large amount of nutriment, grows through both winter and summer, 
no cold affecting it, and as the young leaves appear all cattle and sheep will 
quickly eat them, leaving more delicate herbage to feed on this. 
Bromus seccalinus.—This valuable grass, described by Baron Von Mueller 
as being one of the best fattening grasses in cold damp lands, growing so 
rapidly that it supersedes all others, is one that, after considerable difficulty, 
I obtained from Germany. At present I have not permitted it to seed, with 
a view to gaining all the growth I can from it, and thus rendering the roots 
as permanent as possible. Tt is a grass that will eventually establish itself 
as one of the most valuable of our winter grasses, especially on damp lands, 
where other grasses are innutritious or valueless. This will not only super- 
sede those of no value, but will be very fattening and nutritious, and will 
support a large number of sheep and cattle. 
Dactylis caspitosa, the Tussac Grass of the Falkland Islands, is another 
valuable winter grass; grows through the coldest and wettest weather, 
sending out abundant verdant leaves, and will eventually prove itself, to all 
grass-growers who fairly try it, a very superior winter grass for feeding and 
fattening stock. It is a pity that it is not more generally diffused, as it has 
been very diffieult for many who are experimenting with grasses to obtain 
it. I believe I have been one of the first in this and the Australian Colonies 
who obtained the true seeds and got them to vegetate. Of this valuable 
fattening grass, from what I observe of its mode of growth, the readiness 
with which it is eaten by stock, and the nourishment it contains, I believe 
it will rank among the best of our winter grasses. 
Festuca gigantea, the Giant Fescue, is amongst all the Fescues one that 
both summer and winter gives the largest amount of nutriment. So 
quickly does it grow after the first year that if the stock are removed from it 
a short time it shoots up above the neighbouring grasses, and quickly over- 
tops them. Its seed-stems are between four and five feet high, and produce 
a large quantity of seed, which my experience proves to vegetate easily. 
Pentzia virgata, the Sheep Bush of the Cape of Good Hope, is a valu- 
able herbage or fodder plant for summer feeding where sheep are kept. Dr. 
Schomburg kindly sent me some seeds, a few of which vegetated, growing 
all through the dryest and hottest weather during summer, and by the 
