Fic. 11. Two spikelets, one closed, one opened, of Setaria elauca. 
12. Two spikelets, one closed, one opened, of Alopecurus pratensis. 
13. Two spikelets, one closed, one opened, of Holcus lanatus. 
14. A spikelet of Deschampsia cspitosa and one of its flowers. 
15. A spikelet of Poa serotina and one of its flowers. 
16. A spikelet of Bromus erectus and one of its flowers. 
17. The male and female spikelets of Buchloé dactyloides, the former both 
closed and opened. 
PASPALUM. 
In this genus the panicle does not divide into numerous slender branches as in 
_ many other kinds, but the flowers are arranged in several rows on one side of a nar- 
row, flattened branch, called a rhachis. Each flower consists of two empty glumes 
of equal or nearly equal length, of a flowering glume of a thickish, hard texture, the 
edges of which overlap a palet of similar texture, and between ee two are inclosed 
the stamens and pistils. 
This genus has its range principally in the Southern and Southwest- 
ern States. The species are very numerous, are mostly perennial, and 
vary much in form and habit. Some are tall and erect, some decum- 
bent or spreading, and others have the habit of sending out runners, 
which take root at short intervals and thus spread and form dense 
patches. They are all relished by cattle, and some of them are consid- 
ered valuable as pasture grasses. 
Paspalum dilatatum. 
This may be called the hairy-flowered Paspalum. It has been found 
native in Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and 
Texas, and has been introduced into other States. It also occurs in 
-South America. It grows from 2 to 5 feet high, with numerous leaves 
about a foot in length and one-third to one haif an inch in breadth. It 
does not creep upon the ground like the following species, but is in- 
clined to grow in tufts, which may attain considerable size. It is rec- 
ommended both for pasture and hay by the few who have tried it. 
This species has also been called Paspalum ovatum, but the name 
above given, having been first applied, is the proper one. 
Charles N. Ely, Smith Point, southeastern Texas, says: 
Paspalum dilatatum was brought to this country about twelve years ago, and planted 
by S. B. Wallis. It is a promising grass for hay and pasture, growing best on moist 
lands, but doing well on upland. It iseasily subdued by cultivation, and is not in- 
clined to encroach on cultivated lands. It is best propagated by roots or sets, the 
‘seed not being reliable. It is rather slow in starting, but when well rooted it spreads 
and overcomes all other grasses. Tramping and grazing is more of an advantage to 
it than otherwise. I think that this grass will succeed in a great variety of soils and 
climates, but those planting if must have patience with it at first. 
Mr. Wallis, above referred to, says: 
This I consider the most valuable of all the grasses with which Iam acquainted; it 
is perennial and grows here all the year round, furnishing excellent green feed for 
_ stock at all seasons, except that the green blades freeze in our coldest weather per-— 
haps two or three times in a winter. It increases rapidly from seeds, and also repro- 
duees itself from suckers, which sprout from the nodes of the culm after the first crop 
