— 9i — 



was unable to recognise any variation in the two grasses. The sub- 

 ject is placed in quite a different light, however, when the grasses are 

 seen in the open in the place where they grow. Here they are soon 

 differentiated by their external appearance, and after a time they can 

 be distinguished even at a distance of 15 to 20 yards. The reason of 

 this is that the grasses do not grow equally well in the same local- 

 ities, as each requires a different climate and soil. As a result, when 

 they grow side by side and under the same conditions they develop 

 unequally, which makes it possible to distinguish them without difficulty. 



Burkill found that Motia flourishes best on dry soil at the foot of 

 the hills or on moderately high slopes facing southwards and only 

 slightly wooded. Sofia, on the other hand, demands moisture and grows 

 particularly well where this is supplied by plentiful dew or mist. It 

 prefers higher altitudes and wooded places, even as high as the hill 

 tops, but it may also be found at lower slopes, except those which 

 face southward. Very favourable places for Sofia are the teak forests 

 (Tectona grandis L., East-Indian Oak) where, owing to the rapid eva- 

 poration of water during thenight, the air cools down to a considerable 

 degree, and abundant dew is formed. But in spite of all these in- 

 dividual preferences, both Motia and Sofia may be found at any al- 

 titude, provided the other conditions are favourable. 



With regard to the distribution of the two grasses in different 

 neighbourhoods, Burkill was able to determine that Motia and Sofia 

 both occur, although at different altitudes, near Asirgarh, Chandni, and 

 in the Melghat, while in Deogaon and Belkhera, to the West and North- 

 East of Ellichpur — an important commercial centre for palmarosa oil — 

 as well as in Dhamangaon, he found almost exclusively Motia, Sofia 

 only gradually occuring in larger quantities as he came further into 

 the mountains. But beyond the water-shed in the valley of the Sipna 

 up to the Tapti River he found only Sofia. 



The differences between Motia and Sofia vary according to the 

 district in proportion as the conditions of development are more fa- 

 vourable to one or the other of the plants. For this reason the 

 descriptions given by the grass collectors do not agree. For example, 

 in the district of Asirgarh and Chandni, Motia grows straighter and 

 higher (6 to 8 ft.) than Sofia (3 to 4 ft.), and the latter also has 

 dense and bushy tops; but in the Melghat, Sofia is the larger of 

 the two plants. The width of the leaves and the intensity of the 

 colour increases with the height. Sofia is characterised by the fact 

 that it sends out numerous runners, which Motia does not. It also 

 appears that the angle formed between the leaf and the stalk is different 

 in the two varieties. Another interesting observation of Burkill's is that 

 in various places he noticed grasses which were neither Motia nor 

 Sofia, and which he regards as hybrid forms. He considers it prema- 



