496 



FASTURE GRASSES OF INDIA. 



But in addition to reasons founded on structure, I have this theore- 

 tical one, that it is as requisite that Endogens should establish a 

 similar relation with Acrogens ; otherwise a gradation exists between 

 the first and third classes, and none between the second and third, 

 between which, gradations ought to be the more frequent. 



As Rafflesia approaches Aristolochia, so does Sarcocodon, Tacca- 

 ceae. 



23rd. — Rawil Pendi. The country continues much the same to 

 within five or six miles of this place, viz. high raviny ground, well 

 covered with Mimosa, Bheir, etc. 



Thence to Pendi, the country is open, bare, and much cultivated. 

 From high ground near Pendi a considerable tract is visible, consist- 

 ing of low ridges running nearly due south, interrupted here and 

 there, and apparently quite bare. 



24th. — To Manikyala, distance nineteen miles, over an elevated 

 country, with not much cultivation ; broken ground occurs here and 

 there, especially near the river Hoomook, now a small stream, the 

 road winding through Mimosa jungle. Moacurra, Bheir, Euonymus. 



At a place about three miles from Manikyala, are the remains of a 

 Serai now in ruins. From this to Metope, the road extends over an 

 open country capable of cultivation, but neglected. Water in wells 

 is thirty feet perhaps below the surface : the country about Tope 

 very bare of trees. 



A curious low chain of sandstone rocks here occurs, and occa- 

 sionally protrudes in places from below the soil, seldom rising above 

 five feet and occasionally dilated into undulated tracts. 



Drill husbandry, (i. e. seeds sown after the plough,) seems much 

 in practice here. The late noise about improving pasture grasses 

 has been made with little reference to the nature of an Indian cli- 

 mate, or the genius of the Indian people. Pasture grasses only excel 

 in countries where there is no division of climate into hot, rainy, and 

 cold seasons ; but not in those in which rain is equally, or nearly so 

 distributed throughout the year. So far as I know, no place in India 

 is calculated for pasture grass cultivation, because as none of excel- 

 lent kinds can succeed without irrigation, this element of Indian 

 agriculture is applied to more profitable cultures, such as artificial 

 grasses. In the cold season and the rains, nature supplies dhoob 

 grass bountifully, leaving the natives to apply their agricultural 

 labour to other objects, and in such seasons the condition of cattle 

 is decidedly good. 



