44 



S. cryptandrus, var. strictus, Scrib. Nebraska to Arizona. 



10. S. cuspidatus, Torr. Rocky Mountains, northward. 



11. S. depauperates, Yasey. (Vilfa depauperata, Torr.) Rocky 



Mountain region. 



12. S. Domingensis, Trin. Florida. 



13. S. Drutnmondii, Vasey. (Vilfa Drummondii, Trin.) Louisiana 



to Texas. 



14. S.? filiculmis. (Vilfa filiculmis, Thurb.) Texas ? 



15. S. Floridanus, Chap. Florida. 



S. Floridanus, var. Curtissii, Vasey. Florida. 



16. S. gracillimns, Yasey. (Vilfa, Thvrb.) California, Oregon. 



17. S. heterolepis, Gray. Sparingly found in Connecticut and 



New York ; common on prairies from Illinois westward, 

 and south to Texas. 



A writer on the grasses of the Rocky Mountains and plains in the 

 Agricultural Report for 1870 says : 



This species may be identified from its long, slender leaves, growing abundantly 

 from the base of the plant, gracefully curving and frequently resting their tips on 

 the ground ; from its tendency to grow branches or stools, and when in fruit, from 

 its small panicle of sharp-pointed spikelets and its round seeds. These when 

 bruised emit a strong, heavy odor, which has been compared to that of EragrosUs 

 megasstachya when crushed in the hands ; but to most olfactories it is much less 

 offensive, and to some not at all disagreeable. It attains to the average height of 

 about 2£ feet in fruit, but in dry seasons large tracts almost exclusively composed 

 of this species are without a single fruiting plant. It is sometimes cultivated for 

 hay, in the absence of the more productive species, and makes an article of fine 

 quality. 



18. S. Indicus, H. Br. Introduced and naturalized. 



This grass is a native of India, but has spread over most tropical 

 and warm climates. It occurs more or less abundantly in all the 

 Southern States, and is called smut grass, from the fact that after 

 flowering the heads become affected with a black smut. It grows in 

 tufts or loose patches, is erect, from 1£ to 3 feet high, with an 

 abundance of long, flat, line pointed leaves near the base, and a 

 narrow, terminal panicle frequently a foot in length, composed of 

 short, erect, sessile branches, which are very closely flowered. 



Professor Phares says: 



It grows abundantly and luxuriously on many uncultivated fields and commons, 

 and furnishes grazing from April till frost. It thrives under much grazing and 

 many mowings, and grows promptly after each if the soil be moist enough. Cattle 

 and horses are fond of it if frequently cut or grazed down, but if allowed to remain 



