September, 1939 
62 Tlie Queensland Naturalist 
The Tliemc da forms dense long-leaved tufts up to 18 inches 
high, the graceful flowering culms attaining 4 feet. The 
inflorescence is narrow, lax, somewhat nodding, and ulti- 
mately brown. The Capillipedium is less densely tufted 
with rather broader leaves and an erect ovoid reddish or 
purplish panicle which emits a fragrant odour when 
rubbed, ft is commonest on the lower embankments. 
At the bottom of the higher embankments the ground 
is generally appreciably damp and Alloteropsis and 
Imperata become prominent. The Alloteropsis is prominent 
from its short leafy base, long slender culms up to 3 feet, 
with 2-3 stout reddish brown digitate spikes. 
Another grass which, at certain seasons immediately 
after rain, becomes very noticeable is the ephemeral 
Agrostis aveiiacea (Calamagrost is filformis). The extreme- 
ly large spreading panicle with its innumerable, minute, 
ultimately white spikelets sometimes conceals all the 
smaller grasses associated with it. Bhynchelytrum with 
its reddish panicle is a rambling grass restricted to the 
sides of embankments. 
Many other species occur, some such as Eragrostis 
spp. sporadically throughout, others under certain condi- 
tions. When the bottom of the embankment is very damp 
Paspalum orbiculare and certain Cyperaceae predominate. 
On the tops of cuttings Eremochloa bimaculata and Enio- 
lasia stricta advance from the surrounding country, but 
never displace Theme da. This occurrence on undisturbed 
areas of Themeda is interesting and it is possible that orig- 
inally it formed an important element in the grass popu- 
lation of the district, at least in certain areas. At present 
it is almost, though not entirely, restricted to railway 
enclosures. 
AVEEDS OF CULTIVATION. 
There are several species which occur only near habi- 
tations or where cultivation has taken place. Excepting 
Eleusine indica (cock-spur grass) and Sorghum halepense 
(Johnson grass) they are all annuals. The commonest and 
most obnoxious is Digit aria adscendens , the well-known 
summer grass. This more or less creeping grass quickly 
over-runs any bare spaces in farm or garden. Eragrostis 
parviflora appears after rain at almost any time of the 
year. It lasts only a few months, but makes good hay. 
Setaria glauca (wild millet, wild panicum) frequently 
appears in farms and Brachiaria miliiformis at the edges. 
The Setaria may occur as solitary culms or small tufts up 
to 18 inches high. It is conspicuous by its golden brown 
