604 
CXIII. GRAMINEiE 
brown hairs pointing upwards ; the point at first attached to the 
similar point of the next lower spikelet from which it separates when 
the grain ripens. Flowering glume reduced to a bent, hairy awn 
1^-3 in. long and attenuated towards the base. In the upper 
fertile portion of the spike the rhachis is undeveloped and when 
the grain is ripe the twisting of the awns, caused by varying 
hygroscopic conditions, pulls away the narrow, cylindric fruits 
and this pare of the spike breaks up leaving only the lower male 
portion on the stem. 
Simla. — Throughout India, ascending to 5000 ft — Mediterranean region 
and the Tropics generally (Common Spear-grass). 
The grain of this grass, having sharp points, barbs of stiff hairs and long 
awns, is curiously adapted to obtain, a firm hold when it falls on the ground, 
and its power of adhering to and penetrating one’s clothes needs no descrip- 
tion. The Burmese name for the Spear-grass is Monkey’s Tail, which is very 
appropriate in the young state. 
*10. Andropogon Iwarancusa, Jones ; FI. Br. Ind. vii. 203. 
Rootstock aromatic; stems smooth, 1-3 ft., sometimes more. 
Leaves glabrous, 6-12 in., very narrow. Spikelets in 3-6 pairs, 
on spikes in. long and paired at the end of a slender stalk 
sheathed in a pointed, spathe-like bract in., the spikes arranged 
on the smooth branches of a narrow, erect panicle 6-12 in. ; joints 
of the spikes and the spikelet-stalks woolly, the long, white hairs 
nearly concealing the sessile spikelets. Sessile spikelet } in., 
lowest one or two usually containing only a male or a rudimentary 
flower ; second or intermediate empty glume boat-shaped ; flowering 
glume narrow, bifid, awn nearly twice the length of the spikelet. 
Stalked spikelets tinged with purple. 
Throughout N. India, ascending to 5000 ft. — -W. Asia, N. Africa. 
The roots of this grass are often used to make tatties or screens. The true 
khaskhas, A. sc/uarrosus , does not grow in the hills. 
11. Andropogon Schcenantlms, Linn, ; FI. Br. Ind. vii. 204. 
Rootstock aromatic ; stems smooth, 3-6 ft., erect. Leaves glabrous, 
long, in. broad, cordate, stem-clasping ; sheaths loose. Spike- 
lets in 3-6 pairs on spikes in. long and paired at the end of 
a slender stalk sheathed in a pointed, spathe-like bract ^-§ in., the 
spikes crowded on the smooth branches of a narrow, erect panicle 
6-24 in. ; joints of the spikes and the spikelet-stalks fringed with 
short, white hairs ; bracts and glumes tinged with red-brown. 
Sessile spikelets 4 in., nearly glabrous, lowest one or two usually 
containing only a male or a rudimentary flower ; second or inter- 
mediate empty glume boat-shaped ; flowering glume narrow, bi- 
fid, awn rather thick, usually more than thrice the length of the 
spikelet. 
Simla.— Throughout India, ascending to 5000 ft. — W. Asia, Tropical Africa. 
# 12. Andropogon Nardus, Linn . ; FI. Br. Ind. vii. 205. 
Characters of A. Schcenantlms except that the leaves are less than 
