oct. — dec. 1856.] 



of the Madras Beach. 



87 



as fast as destroyed, and the whole plant offers a resistance to the 

 storm which is rarely overcome. I think this species would be near - 

 ly as indestructible from natural causes as Couch grass, and it ap- 

 pears to me (after watching patches of it on the road to Ennore, where 

 it is little disturbed) that it would speedily colonize the sand tracts 

 spontaneously, if it were only left unmolested for a year or two. In 

 the experiment lately made in front of the Fort, and near the Salut- 

 ing Battery, this binder has answered well, notwithstanding the fre- 

 quent disturbance of the young plants. The fishermen do not ap- 

 preciate the conservative design of this " ground rattan" or mat 

 grass, but collect it for fuel, and thus destroy their greatest pro- 

 tection : the reason seems to be that the spiny leaves injure their 

 naked feet, and the turf does not answer for spreading their nets 

 upon. On this account, it wculd be well to propagate the other 

 plants mentioned, immediately in front of fishing villages. This 

 grass is Polygamo- dioecious, (Spinifex dioicus of Ham. MS. S.), and 

 reproduction is effected in a very remarkable manner ; the male 

 spikes congested into an umbel are carried by the wind to the fe- 

 male flowers, which are fascicled on a distinct plant, and being 

 light and spherical, the Dutch call them wind-ball (Wind-boll). 



Rumphius in the "Herb. Amboinense" alludes to this plant, as 

 being connected with a superstition among the natives, who, see- 

 ing the capitula carried along the shore by the sea-breeze, think 

 they are propelled by the devil. (Vide Plate No. 2). 



2. Ipomcea pes-caprce, Sweet. Goat's foot leaved Jpomoea, (also 

 known as " Rabbit weed"). Perennial, creeping to a very great ex- 

 tent. Stems rooting at distant intervals. Leaves smooth, long 

 petioled, two lobed, like those of Bauhtnia, tipped with a mucro. 

 Flowers large, reddish purple, very handsome. Common on the 

 sandy beach north and south of Madras, where it is of great use 

 in binding the loose sand, and in time rendering it sufficiently 

 stable to bear grass. This fine creeper is equally abundant in both 

 peninsulas, and is also a native of Mauritius, Macao, &c, occupy- 

 ing the place of C. Soldanella of the British coast, and we have 

 rarely seen a more striking and beautiful species of the Tropical 

 Bind weeds. "Rabbits, goats, and horses eat it, so do cows, but 



