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a red colour; the distillate from this grass is the so-called ginger 

 grass oil. In direct contradiction to the above is the statement by 

 E. G. Fernandez, according to which it is a question of two different 

 varieties. The "motia" yielding palmarosa oil is said to be usually 

 confined to the higher slopes of the hills, whilst the "sofia" yielding 

 the gingergrass oil is found more on the plains and the table lands 

 of the hills; frequently, however, the two varieties are found alongside 

 each other. Stapf has been unable to detect any morphological 

 differences in two specimens collected by Fernandez; of these the 

 "motia" was, moreover, just in the more developed stage 1 ). 



9. Cymbopogon caesius Stapf (Syn. Andropogon caesius, a et (5 Nees, 

 A. Schoenanthus var. caesius Hack.), Kamakshi grass. 



This grass is very closely allied to C. Martini, but yet sufficiently 

 different; only where the two species meet, transition-forms occur 

 which unite the two species completely. C. caesius grows in the largest 

 part of Karnatik, where it is fairly common. It replaces C. Martini 

 in South-Eastern India. 



In the Administration Report of the Government Botanic Gardens 

 and Parks, the Nilghiris, for 1901, p. 5, an article appears on the 

 oil. The grass used for the distillation originated from Ami, in the 

 North Arcot district, Madras Presidency, where it is found in large 

 quantity. The oil-yield from the grass freshly cut at the end of 

 December, was 0,43 1 °/ . Another parcel distilled at the end of April 

 in an entirely dry state, yielded o,7ii°/ oil. With regard to the 

 properties of the oil, no data are available. 



10. Cymbopogo?i polyneuros Stapf (Syn. Andropogon polyneuros Steud., 

 A. versicolor Nees, A. Schoenathus var. versicolor Hack., A. nardoides y? minor, 

 Nees ex Steud.). C. polyneuros is a fairly strong grass which has a great 

 tendency to form numerous ramifications upwards, so as to form thick clusters. 

 It is found in the South-Western parts of India, especially in the Nilghiris, 

 and here replaces C. Martini. It is also found in Ceylon, preferably 

 at greater altitudes (up to 4500 feet), and further in the island Delft in 

 Adams' Strait, where it is called "Delft grass" and forms a good food 

 for horses. The odour of the rubbed leaves is said to remind of 

 fennel or anise 2 ). The oil was distilled in 1902 in Utakamand, and 

 obtained in a yield 0,25 °/ ; with regard to its properties nothing 

 is known. 



11. Vetiveria zizanioides Stapf (Syn. Andropogon muricatus Retz., 

 A. squarrosus Hack., Vetiveria muricata Griseb. a. o.), vetiver grass, Anglo- 

 Indian "Khas khas", a name which is probably of Hindoo origin and 

 means "aromatic root". 



x ) Comp. also under Palmarosa oil. 

 *) Comp. Report April 1905, 55. 



