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Alopecurus occidentalis ,Rocky Mountain Foxtail). 
This species is indigenous in Montana and Idaho, and is very com- 
mon along mountain streams, frequently covering acres of the mountain 
meadows. It is called in some localities mountain Timothy. It yields 
a large quantity of fine, bright hay, for which purpose it is often har- 
vested and highly valued. It is of little value for grazing. Probably 
under cultivation it would become as useful as the European species. 
ARISTIDA. 
Spikelets one-flowered, in a spicate or an open branching panicle, generally on fili- 
form pedicels; outer glumes unequal, often bristle-pointed ; flowering glume narrow, _. 
rolled around the flower, terminating with a trifid awn, or apparently three-awned. 
Palet small and thin, inclosed in the flowering glume. 
The grasses of this large genus are generally either worthless or of 
little agricultural value. The perennial species in some localities fur- 
nish a considerable amount of wild forage of an inferior character. They 
are very abundant in sandy and sterile soil, especially in the Rocky 
Mountain region. otis 
Aristida purpurea. 
Aristida purpurea prevails extensively on the Western plains, and it 
is said to form an important part of the early feed of the cattle. It grows 
in bunches, and is about 1 foot high. The panicle is somewhat spread- 
ing, and the flowers are purplish, with spreading, slender awns, 1 inch 
cr more in length. (Plate 36.) 
STIPA. 
Spikelets one-flowered, terete, spicate, or paniculate. Outer glumes membranaceous, 
keeled; flowering glume narrow, coriaceous, rigid, involute, with a simple twisted awn 
from the apex; palet usually small and inclosed by the flowering glume. Stamens 
generally three. The flowering glume has a hardened, often sharp-pointed and bearded 
pedicel or stipe at its base. 
This genus has its principal range in the region of the Rocky Mount- 
ains and the Great Plains. They are mostly coarse, rigid grasses, hav- 
ing little agricultural value. In common with many other kinds they _ 
are usually called bunch grass, sometimes beard grass, or feather - 
grass. The more abundant species are Stipa spartea, Stipa comata, and 
Stipa viridula. These prevail from British America southward, on the 
plains, and in the mountains. The genus is particularly distinguished 
by the awn or beard of the flowering glume, and the sharp-pointed and 
barbed stipe or base of the glume. Complaint has been made among 
stockmen of great injury to sheep by the penetration of these sharp 
points into the wool, and even into the flesh. The awns or feathery 
appendages are in some species 4 to 6 inches long, and are subject to a 
Spiral twisting when dry, which assists in forcing the seed into the 
ground for germination. Stipa avenacea is the only species prevailing 
in the Eastern and Southern States, and is of no agricultural impor- 
