again, such as Dactylus glomeratus , require no such attention, possessing, as they do, an inherent 
tendency to delay the process of flowering and seeding for some years, by which time each seed has 
formed a small tussac and, by their confluence, a close sward, thus proving a true perennial grass. In 
the South Island, the species under notice, Triticum scabrum, was considered by the early settlers as a 
good grass for horses and cattle, and was known by them as the “ blue tussac grass,” or “ blue oat 
grass,”—a pardonable error in the latter name, the spikes being more like oats than wheat. A very 
marked variety of this species has been figured here under the name Triticum scabrum , var. tenue. 
This grass is abundant in some of the inland districts of Nelson and Canterbury. It is a weak 
elongated form, 3—4 feet long, and often trailing on the ground. Other varieties exist of less importance, 
varying in the size of the spikelet and amount of scabridity. All the varieties, if cut in flower, make 
excellent fodder grasses. Distribution in New Zealand: ABUNDANT IN BOTH ISLANDS. 
Reference to plate LVII. A.: Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Floret. 4, 4. Nervation of 
empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 8, 8', 8". Grain, 
front and side views, and section. 
Reference to Plate LVII. B.: Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Floret. 4, 4. Nervation of 
empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 8. Section of 
ovary, showing the position of the styles. 
