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convolute above, hispid. Panicle spike-like or conical ; branches hori- 

 zontal, short and stiff. Spikelets in two rows from the under side 

 of each branch, 6-12-flowered. 



Abundant in the plains of Northern India in all kinds of soil. In saline 

 usar soils it is usually found in the lower-lying portions where water 

 collects. Cattle do not eat it as a rule, though it is liked by buffaloes 

 when young. Its vigorous extensively creeping roots help to keep it 

 fresh in dry weather. When other grasses fail it is often used as fodder 

 mixed with gram and wheat. It produces a fairly strong fibre which 

 is much used for making ropes. In the Karnal Settlement Report it 

 is stated that the fibre is used for the ropes of the Persian wheel where 

 they will last three months or more. This species is considered sacred 

 amongst the Brahmins. It is often spread beneath the dead bodies of 

 Hindus, the chief mourner wearing a ring of it on his finger. The rhi- 

 zome is used as a diuretic. 



E. elegantula, Nees. (Plate LXXIV.) Syn. — Poa elegantula, Kunth ; 

 P. elegans, Roxb. Vern. — N.-W. Prov. : Kaluargi (Doab), bhulwa 

 (Cawnpore) ; Cent. Prov. : Asara (Balaghat), chota asara (Seoni). 



Annual, smooth. Stems 1-3 feet. Leaves few, small, quite smooth 

 except the pilose mouths of the sheaths. Panicle oblong, nodding ; 

 branches rather distant, linear, appressed. Spikelets stalked, 8-12- 

 flowered, purplish. 



Not uncommon in the plains of North- West India, usually occurring 

 on low-lying swampy ground. It is eaten by cattle either fresh or dry. 

 At Balagha"t in the Central Provinces it is used for brooms. 



E. megastachya, Link. {Plate LXXV.) Syn.— E. major, Host; ^. 

 Poa Eragrostis, Sibth. ; Megastachya Eragrostis, Beauv.; Briza Eragros- 

 tis, Linn. Vern. — N.-W. Prov. : Chiriya he chaolai (Royle). 



Annual. Stems ascending. Leaves linear ; mouth of sheaths pilose. 

 Panicle ovate oblong; pedicels shorter than the spikelets. Spikelets 

 large, solitary or in clusters, linear oblong, 15-20-flowered. Flowering 

 glumes mucronate ; lateral nerves prominent. 



Common all over the plains, and up to 5,000 feet on the Himalaya. 

 It is used more or less as fodder. 



E. nutans, Nees. (Plate LXXVI.) Syn.—E. interrupta, Beauv. ; 

 Poa interrupt a, Kon. ; P. nutans, Retz. Vern. — Punjab: Kutti-pushli 

 and sur (Multan), lumra ^Lahore) ; N.-W. Prov. : Lamcha (Etawah), 

 rasaurah (Allahabad), ghui (Pilibhit); Bundelkhand : Ldl bait and 

 asauhra (Banda), mumkdra (Lalitpur) ; Cent. Prov. : Ghodila (Nag- 

 pur), ghorila (Chanda), khajuria (Seoni) ; Teling : Nakurmaral and 

 urenke (Roxb.). 



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