HOLE : SOME INDIAN GRASSES AND THEIR CECOLOGY. 91 



69. The damage done by fire is similar to that susceptibii. 



ity to Fire 



described above for S. Munja and S. Narenga, but the species suffers much less than S. Damage. 

 Munja owing to the fact that it usually occurs on loam. Growth during February also is as 

 a rule not so vigorous as in S. Munja and the growing points of the young clums are usually 

 situated close to the surface of the ground at the end of that month. 



70. The leaves of this species are eaten by utility as 



buffaloes to some extent, especially when young. Grasslands required for grazing should best Treat- 



be fired so that the young leaves may become available in the hot season. Fodder pro- 



duction. 



71. On areas where this grass is dominant the Relations 

 soil and moisture conditions are as a rule suitable for moist mixed forest. Such representa- to woodland, 

 tive species as Cedrela Toona and Mallotus philippinensis have been seen to be able to 

 naturally establish themselves in areas occupied by this grass without artificial assistance. 



The large tufted species of Saccharum, such as S. Munja and S. Narenga, have con- 

 siderable power of improving the soil by the addition of humus. 



Not only do the decaying culms and leaves of these plants themselves add considerably 

 to the humus content of the soil, but the central hollow of the clumps, surrounded as it is 

 by a barricade of culms, acts as a veritable humus-trap in which the leaves and debris from 

 neighbouring trees and plants is caught, stored, allowed to gradually decay and find its way 

 into the soil. 



Erianthus Ravennm, being of more robust growth than either of the two species named, 

 possesses this power to an exceptional degree and the writer has removed 11 handfuls of 

 decaying leaves and debris from the centre of a single clump. 



D. — Economic Uses. 



72. The leaves of this species quickly decay 

 and are not therefore used for thatching, a point of interest in connection with the 

 hygrophytic character of the species. 



The culms are used for making screens, etc. 



Imperata arundinacea, Cyrill. (Plates XXVIII to XXX.) 



F. B. I., VII, 106; H., 92. References. 



P., II, 1188; C, II, 946. 



The hotter parts of India and ascending in the Himalayas to 6,500 ft, and possibly Distribution, 

 higher. 



Extending to the Mediterranean region, Africa, Java, Japan, China, Australia. 



A. — Description. 

 Siru, sirhu (Dehra Dun). vernacular 



[ 91 J Name ' 



