BOTAtJICAL TOUR IN THE LAKHIMPUR DISTRICT, ASSAM. 87 
Alismacese. 
Alisma ; Sagittaria ; in rice fields and swamps. 
Naiadacem* 
Aponogeton ; Potamogeton ; in shallow ponds. 
Lyperacese^ 
This order is represented by most of the genera and species com- 
mon to the warmer parts of India. 
Graminem» 
In point of importance as regards appearance and utility the Bam* 
boos occupy the chief place. They form a characteristic feature of 
the Flora of Upper Assam. They are often widely gregarious and 
their culms are applied to multifarious uses by the natives. 
Dtndrocalamus giganteuSf Munro, and Dendrocaiamus H amiltonii 
Nees and Am, exceed all in size and height. Pseudostachyum poly^ 
morphuniy Munro, is very common on the outer skirts of the Makum 
forest where I was fortunate enough to find it in flower. Other 
common species are Bambusa Tnlda, Roxb., Bambusa Balmoa^ 
Roxb., Cephalostachyum pergraciley Munro, and Phyllostachys 
Mannity Gamble. 
I am indebted to Mr^ Gamble for the identification of the bamboos 
collected during this tour. 
The tall grasses covering large tracts of low-lying country belong 
to the genera Jmperatay SaccharuMy Arundo and AnthisUria {And-^ 
roscepid). Their culms and leaves are used in house building as 1 
have already pointed out 
The smaller grasses consist of various species of Paspalum 
Panicuniy Pennisetuniy Eragrostisy Cozx, Cynodotiy Setaria and other 
genera. 
Although there are large areas which could be utilized for grazing 
grounds where one would expect the cattle to be of a good class, 
the cattle are certainly the most degenerated I have seen in India. 
Ft I ices. 
This district is rich in ferns as might be infi ;red from its 
climate and situation. As in most parts of the world the plants of 
this order shun the open cultivated tracts and usually frequent the 
forests, 
A total number of about one hundred species has been recorded 
from Upper Assam. Some collected in recent years by Mr, Gustav 
Mann are rare and may yet prove to be forms or varieties of species 
already known to us. 
