thoroughly tropical one, found in all three Continents, and 
the species have wide ranges ; the present extends from 
Hindostan and Ceylon to China and the Fiji Islands, and has 
been identified with an African species. It is common in 
mountain woods of Ceylon, and in the Malay Peninsula, but 
has not been found in northern India. It was raised from 
seeds sent by Dr. Thwaites to Kew, and flowers at various 
seasons. 
Descr. Culms , two to four feet high, stout, trigonous 
with obtuse smooth angles. Leaves much longer than the 
culm, often an inch broad, three-nerved, and closely striated, 
plaited, rather rigid ; margins, and often the nerves beneath, 
minutely serrulate. Inflorescence a depressed corymbose 
cyme, often four inches long, and broad, the lower branches 
with large leafy bracts, the upper with smaller, more 
rigid ones ; main-branches trigonous, stout, erecto-patent ; 
branchlets short, rigid, spreading horizontally. SpiJcelets one 
quarter of an inch long, cylindric-oblong, longer than their 
pedicels, of eight to twelve closely imbricate obovate, obtuse, 
apiculate, round-backed, broad-keeled, brown opaque scales, 
that spread in fruit, and are very persistent. Glumes two, op- 
posite, included, much shorter than the scales, at first 
connate, easily separated, keel ciliolate. Stamens two, ex- 
serted ; anthers shortly oblong. Style distinct : stigmas two. 
Fruit ellipsoid, turgid, rough, dark brown, and opaque, at 
first acute, then obtuse with a thickened tip. — J. 1). II. 
Fig. 1, Spikelet; 2, glumes and flower; 3, glumes and ovary; 4, ovary 
removed : — all enlarged. 
