17 



Panicum bulbosum, H.B.K. (regarded by Munro as a variety of 

 ,P. maximum, and found in the Southern United States), is mentioned 

 by Vasey as likely to be of great agricultural value. 



Panicum molk,f Swartz According to Swartz, it is 



a native of Surinam, and is commonly called " Dutch Grass " in 

 Jamaica. 



Panicum muticum,% Firsk (P. numidianum, Lam ; P. barbinode, 

 Trin ; P. molle, Griseb non Sw.J. — It has various names, such as "Para 

 Grass," "Mauritius Grass," "Scotch Grass," and "Water Grass." 



Panicum spectabile,\\ Nees. — A valuable fodder plant, long 

 established in Brazil and other parts of Tropical America. It 

 is known as " Cassim de Angola." According to Spruce, it 

 is also called " Canna Rana." The stem is stout, 5 to 6 feet high, with 

 the nodes softly bearded. The leaves are 3 feet long, and about an 

 inch broad. The spikes are numerous, with the spikelets arranged in 

 4-6 series. It belongs to the same section of Panicum as the " Cock- 

 spur grass " (P. crus-galli ). By some it is regarded as a robust 

 variety of that species. The Brazilian specimens in the New 

 Herbarium are, however, well marked. This grass was introduced, 

 according to Martius (Fl. Bras 11, pp. 2 and 143) from the South West 

 Coast of Africa. It prefers moist situations, and spreads rapidly 

 everywhere. On the Niger, Barter described it as an "aquatic grass 

 <6 feet high." In East Africa, Kirk speaks of it as supplying " the 

 richest fodder for cattle." It is widely spread in Tropical America, in 

 Cuba, Jamaica, various parts of Brazil, and south as far as Paraguay. 

 It is a very desirable grass to introduce into the East Indies. 



Panicum texanum,§ Buckley. — " Blue Grass," "Colorado Grass,' 

 "' Buffalo Grass," or "Austin Grass." 



Paspalum conjugatum,\ Berg. — " Sour Grass " of Jamaica, " Green 

 Cras's " of Singapore. 



Paspalum distichum** Linn. — " Silt Grass or " Water Couch." 



Paspalum sanguinale^^ Lam. {Panicum sanguinale, Lam.). — A 

 widely-diffused annual grass, found in all warm regions of the Globe. 

 The stems usually rise to the height of 2 to 3 feet, and at the summit 

 have from 3 to 6 slender flower spikes, each from 4 to 6 inches long. In 

 cultivated areas this grass is a troublesome weed, as it spreads with 

 amazing rapidity. Known in the United States as "Crab Grass," where 

 it is recognised as the most useful of all pasture grasses. It makes a 

 sweet hay, and horses are exceedingly fond of it. Cotton and corn- 

 fields in the south are often so overrun with it that the hay which might 

 be secured would be more valuable than the original crop. In Fiji, 



* Not known in Natal, 

 t Not known in Natal. 

 J Not known in Natal. 



I) P. spectab'de is not known in Natal, but P. crus-galli is not uncommon. 

 § Not known in Natal. 



^f Said to be widely distrsbuted throughout Tropical America and Africa, 

 but not known to me. 

 ** Not known to me. 

 ft This grass is a native of Natal. 



