' 



- A 



( 46 ) 



aculeatus, Geertn. ; Heleochloa diandra, Host. A prostrate glaucous 

 annual with branching compressed brittle stems. Leaves spreading sub- 

 ulate ; sheaths loose, shorter than its internode. 



Not uncommon in N.-W. India on a sandy soil. This grass is nutri- 

 tious looking, and not unlike dub in texture and colouring ; its value, 

 however, is much lessened by being an annual. 



46. ALOPECURUS, Linn. Species about 20, three of which oc- 

 cur in Northern India, including the well-known Meadow Fox-tail grass 

 {A. pratensis). The flat spikelets are crowded into a cylindrical spike- 

 like panicle. The two outer glumes are boat-shaped and have a promi- 

 nent keel, and the flowering glumes are awned on the back. Pale and 

 lodicules none. 



A. agrestis, Linn* Annual, stems 1-2 feet. Panicle spikelike, narrow and 

 acute. Empty glumes connate to about the middle. 



Punjab plains in cultivated ground (Stewart). In Italy it is considered to be a 

 good fodder grass fresh or dry. 



A. geniculatus, Linn. Perennial. Stems procumbent and rooting at the lower 

 nodes. Sheaths of upper leaves loose. Spikelike panicle slender, obtuse. Empty 

 glumes connate at the base. 



Plains of N.-W. India and up to 5,000 feet on the Himalaya. Mueller describes it 

 as a good fodder grass for swampy land. 



A. pratensis, Linn. Perennial. Stems erect, 1-3 feet. Sheaths of 

 upper leaves inflated. Panicle cylindrical, 2-3 inches long, obtuse. Outer 

 glumes nearly free at the base ; keels hairy. 



This species is well known in England as an excellent fodder grass. 

 On the Himalaya it is abundant at moderate elevations, extending 

 down to the plains in the Punjab. In Australia it is said to be one of 

 the best of their perennial pasture grasses, and that sheep thrive well on 

 it. In the United States, where it has been introduced, it is highly 

 valued as being one of the earliest of the grasses to start in the spring. 

 None of these species of Alopecurus, mentioned above, are sufficiently 

 abundant in the plains to be considered of much account. They are 

 all capable, however, of being cultivated as cold weather grasses, and as 

 such might be advantageously utilized. 



TRIBE VIII. AGROSTIDEiE. 



47. ARISTIDA, Linn. Species upwards of 100, chiefly charac- 

 teristic of dry sandy tracts, and they are easily recognised by their thin 

 feathery appearance. The flowering glume is terminated by a long slender 



* See Hate D., Fig. 22. 



