92 



THE GENERA AND THEIR SPECIES. 



acute, keel with teeth on upper part. Outer palea longer and 

 broader than glume, compressed, glossy, smooth on sides, 

 roughish on edges, ciliate on keel ; inner palea long, narrow, 

 edges rough. 



There are four species of Cynodon, three of which are Australian, 

 The fourth is this cosmopolitan Dog's-tooth, rare amongst us, but 

 so much appreciated in India that the Hindoos celebrate its 

 virtues in their writings. It is the Durba of Bengal, the Hariali 

 of the Deccan, one of the commonest of Indian grasses, and the 

 best for fattening and milk-producing powers. Its young leaves 

 are eaten by the natives and its roots made into a cooling drink. 

 Its turfing qualities are considerable owing to its rooting stolons 

 and close growth, and it is much used for lawns. In the northern 

 United States, under the name of Bermuda Grass, it is thought as 

 highly of as in India, for although it grows best on sandy soils 

 and has delicate leaves, it is not injured by protracted drought. 



CYNOSURUS. Plate xxiv. FESTUCEJE. 



75. cristatus 



76. echinatus 



24 in. Crested Dog's-tail. Spike semi-cylin- 

 drical ; glumes pointed. 



10 in. Rough Dog's-tail. Spike pyriform ; 

 glumes awned. 



75. C. cristatus. Hilly pastures ; 

 ranging through Europe and West- 

 ern Asia. July and August. Root 

 perennial, tufted, occasionally 

 stoloniferous, reaching nine inches 

 in depth. Stems several, tufted, 

 erect, smooth, wiry ; nodes several. 

 Base of radical leaves yellow, 

 leaves folded in bud, then with over- 

 lapping edges, thin, narrow, flat, 

 pointed, ribs prominent on upper 

 surface, glossy below, bright 

 cynosums cristatus. S reen - Sheaths yellowish white 



Spikcict. Fox Floret sec p. 55. near base, smooth, striated ; ligulc 



