55 



which are eight to fifteen in number, 2 to 3 inches long, and umbellate 

 or fasciculate at the top of the clum or of the lateral branches. 



This is a common grass in the arid regions of New Mexico, Arizona, 

 and further south aud west. It furnishes a large quantity of foliage, 

 but of its agricultural value we have no information. (Plate 15.) 



Bouteloua oligostacliya (Grama, mesquite grass). 



This is the commonest species on the Great Plains. It is frequently 

 called Buffalo-grass, although that name strictly belongs to another 

 grass (Buchloc dactyloides) . On the arid plains of the West it is the prin- 

 cipal grass, and is the main reliance for the vast herds of cattle which 

 are raised there. It grows chiefly in small, roundish patches, closely 

 pressed to the ground, the foliage being in a dense cushion-like mass. 

 The leaves are short and crowded at the base of the short stems. The 

 flowering stalks seldom rise over a foot in height and bear, near the top, 

 one or two flower spikes, each about an inch long and from one-eighth 

 to one-quarter of an inch wide, standing out nearly at right angles, like 

 a small flag floating in the breeze. Where much grazing prevails, how- 

 ever, these flowering stalks are eaten down so much that only the mats 

 of leaves are observable. In bottom lands and low, moist ground it 

 grows more closely, and under favorable circumstances forms a pretty 

 close sod, but even then it is not adapted for mowing, although it is 

 sometimes cut, making a very light crop. Under the most favorable 

 circumstances the product of this grass is small compared with the cul- 

 tivated grasses. It is undoubtedly highly nutritious. Stock of all kind 

 are fond of it, and eat it in preference to any grass growing with it. It 

 dries and cures on the ground so as to retain its nutritive properties in 

 the winter. No attempt is generally made by stockmen to feed cattle 

 in the winter. They are expected to " rustle around," as the phrase is, 

 and find their living, and in ordinary winters, as the fall of snow is light, 

 they are enabled to subsist and make a pretty good appearance in the 

 spring. But in severe winters there are losses of cattle, sometimes very 

 heavy. (Plate 1G.) 



Bouteloua polystachya (Low grama-grass). 



This species probably does not reach farther north than northern New 

 Mexico. It is an annual, from to 10 inches high, growing in clumps; 

 the culms are slender, branching, and bent at the lower joints. The 

 culm terminates in a raceme-like panicle, 3 to G inches long, composed 

 of five to seven alternate, narrow, one-sided spikes, which are about 1 

 inch long and one-half inch to 1 inch apart. There are several varie- 

 ties or forms of this species, some smaller and some larger. It abounds 

 near the banks of streams and furnishes excellent pasturage. (Plate 

 17.) 



Bucliloe dactyloides (Buffalo- grass). 



This grass is extensively spread over all the region known as the 

 Great Plains. It is very low, the bulk of leaves seldom rising more 



