384 
Panicum muticum, Forsk. (P. numidianum, Lam.; P. barbinode, 
rin.; P. molle, Griseb. non Sw. as various names, such as 
* Para erint “Mauritius grass,” “Scotch grass,” and ** Water grass. 
coarse and very vigorous grass, spreading rapidly in damp places. 
It has succulent stems and leaves, with the nudes distinctly hairy. 
It roots readily at the joints, ao these are even said to grow after 
passin through animals. Hence, this grass is regarded as unsuit- 
able to grow in the fisiishivoerhood of cultivated land. It is 
also discouraged as fodder for animals specially kept for manure. 
For general pasture purposes it is, however, one of the best of tropical 
grasses. In Ba rbados, 40 acres of this grass, well manured and 
irrigated, are said to yield in good years cut-grass of the annual value 
of 6002. It is largely cultivated elsewhere in the West Indies, 
in Florida (where it is said to make heavy growth on high pine-ridges), 
in Curagoa (where it is Peas . ae of resisting drought), and 
also in Ceylon, Mauritius, and i e plains of Bengal. It is readily 
propagated by seed and by easi pr the root and stem. 
Seeds and plants of Para grass were first introduced from Caracas to 
Barbados by Colonel Reid, Governor of the Windward Islands, in 
1847. Latera supply was ‘received in this country, and forwarded to 
Kew, with the following letter from Earl Grey, Secretary of State for 
ial partment, addressed to Sir William Hooker, 
dated 30 June 1849 :— 
“T am directed by Earl Grey to transmit to you a copy of a despatch 
from the Lieutenant-Governor of St. Lucia, stating that he had trans- 
mitted a few roots of the Para grass, and proposed to send some seeds 
when he should have been able to collect a sufficient quantity. 
“ The roots and seeds having arrived, they are also now forwarded to 
Colone 
qualities of this grass are described. d Grey sh bis zn 1s will 
have the goodness to take charge of din roots and seeds, o cause 
“Tam a to idit: to you a case cani some slips of this 
grass; w. has been forwarded to T Grey from the Caracas. His 
Lordship Would be glad to be furnished with any suggestions which may 
occur to you as to the best mode of proceeding in order to introduce 
these seeds and plants into bn bramer for which they are best fitted. 
—I have, &c., (Signed) B. 
The PE spruce in regard to the introduction of Para grass to 
Barbados is given by Dr. Lindley in the Journ. Roy. Hort. Soc., iv. 
RP ) p. 148. Adapting the name given to the grass in Curacoa, 
Dr. Lintiey called it Panicum jumentorum, thus confusing it with 
Guinea 
Further supplies of Para grass were received at Kew in six Wardian 
cases, rap from Caracas by Her Majesty’s Consul, Mr. J. Riddel. 
From these plants distribution was made with full directions for culti- 
vation) to various colonies in the eastern bn, de. In de including New 
shown by Mr. Riddel to be an error. It evidently prefers and, indol, 
will only flourish in localities where it has abundant moisture. It is 
to note that this distribution of Para grass from Kew by 
Sir Wilikm H Hooker was one of the early operations undertaken by him 
