888 Transactions.— Botany. 
warm, dry situations, will give more herbage to the acre than anything else, 
where the climate suits; but it would be better suited to cut for hand- 
feeding than for the live stock to graze upon it. It grows in warm sheltered 
situations from 12-15 feet high, and quickly forms a plant 4-6 feet in 
diameter, while its stems are not so tough and coarse as maize, but green 
and succulent in all parts. It will be found very valuable in northern dis- 
tricts more than in southern ones, but it is more adaptable to situations of 
lower temperature than would be thought from its appearance, and from 
the fact that it is a native of Mexico and adjoining places. 
Festuca rubra.—One of the best of the fescues, as its foliage is readily 
eaten by sheep or cattle; and as it grows on into the cool season, and in 
sheltered spots through the winter, it is a good addition to mixed pasture. 
Festuca dives.—This magnificent grass, which I received from Australia 
and from several correspondents after some trouble, as its seeds are often 
unfertile, was, at length, obtained as live plants; and, by division of roots 
and careful attention to seed, I was enabled to propagate, increase, grow, 
and test its value; and it is one that, when once by careful selection a 
variety is obtained, will perfect its seeds. No better grass will be found by 
the grazier or pastoralist, as its period of growth is so long that summer 
and winter it is growing here, and as it is a very fattening grass it deserves 
to be planted extensively. 
Echinochloa zenkowski.—Having received seeds of this grass from several 
parts of the world, I find there are several varieties thus named, some of 
much more vigorous habit than others; but they all grow rapidly, are 
relished by stock, and from the great abundance of seed they bear quickly, 
spread, and cover the ground. 
Mountain grass of California.—A grass was sent to me by Mr. Mavity 
of California, under this name, to test and experiment with, as it was con- 
sidered, by those who knew it, a good and useful grass. Having subjected 
it to test culture, I am able to speak very favourably of it. It is a brome 
grass of very hardy habit, and will grow upon the poorest clays, stand both 
wet and dry climates, continues to grow and send up its stems for the 
greater part of the year when not grazed down too closely ; its foliage is 
darker in colour than most bromes. It is much relished by the live stock, 
and it is in every way a valuable addition to our grasses for permanent 
pasture, and may be sown with advantage over a wide range of climate. 
Panicum maximum, or Guinea grass.—This grass, which grows so 
vigorously in the hottest weather, ceases to make so much herbage when 
the autumn is getting cooler, but in the hot northern portions of the 
colony it is a very suitable grass for quickly fattening the animals fed upon 
it, and they are very fond of it, especially cattle and horses. In the 
