HOLE : SOME INDIAN GRASSES AND THEIR CECOLOGY. 87 



grasslands where the soil is well supplied with moisture, the damage done by fire is practi- 

 cally nil. r 



In exposed grasslands, such as Gola Tappar (see Plate XL), however, which are 

 regularly fired and where the soil is comparatively dry, this species, although flowering 

 fairly freely, shows inferior dimensions, but this appears to be due rather to the want of 

 sufficient moisture in the soil for vigorous growth, caused mainly by the destruction of all 

 humus and organic debris by the fire, rather than to any direct injury by fire. No case has 

 yet been seen where fire alone has sufficed to exterminate this species. 



As a general rule the later the fire occurs in the season and the drier the locality, the 

 more severe will the damage be, and a fire occurring in an area long protected from fire 

 will be more injurious than a fire in an area periodically burnt, owing to the accumulation 

 of debris in the clumps. 



63. This plant is generally considered of utility as 

 little or no value for fodder and cattle only eat the young and immature leaves. Grass- test Treat- 

 lands required for grazing therefore should be fired, so that the young leaves may become FoXerPro- 

 available for fodder in the hot season. duction - 



On areas which are annually burnt and then grazed the production of flowering culms 

 is to some extent diminished. 



64. As noted above, this species is a valuable Relations of 

 indicator of soil and moisture conditions suitable for Sal. woodland. ° 



D. — Economic Uses. 



65. The culms and leaves are used for thatch- 

 ing, for making tatties ( = screens), etc. 



Erianthus Ravennae, Beauv. (Plates VIII, XXVII.) 



F. B. I., VII, 121 ; H., 139. References. 



C, II, 949. 



Western Himalaya, Punjab, Upper Gangetic Plain, Sindh. Extends westwards to the Distribution. 

 Mediterranean. 



A. — Description. 



Dolsar, dolu (Dehra Dun). vernacular 



Erect, attains a height of 19 ft. and diameter 07 in. cmm.' 



Solid, often slightly fistular just below the panicle. Smooth and polished, striate. 

 Shortly and finely bearded at the leaf -insertions. 



Hirsute with bulbous-based hairs, the latter varying in colour from white to yellow or Leaf-sheath, 

 brown. 



[ 87 } 



