65 



very xerophytic form. Fig. 8 shows a transverse section of 

 its leaf. Note the excessive amount of sclerenchyma and the 

 thick cuticle. The assimilating tissue which is the portion 

 shown not shaded, is j)acked very full of starch. The buudles 

 are strongly girdered below, but not always above. There are 

 ridges on the upper side, but the leaf remains permanently 

 folded. Obviously this is not a palatable grass, but if eaten 

 it is not without nutritive value. 



Fig. 9. — Da^nthonia purpurea Benav. A. Whole plant. B. a single spikelet. 

 C. Luwer glume. D. Upper glume. E. Valve, front view. F. Valve, back 

 view. G. Pale. H. Ovary and lodicules. 



By far the most interesting of all the species of Danthonia 

 is the dwarf D. intrpurea, the Haas Gras or Hare Grass, which 

 has established itself, ousted Anthixtiria, and become com- 

 pletely dominant in the grassveld for miles around Molteno 

 in the Stormberg region near the eastern edge of the Karroo. 



