Order GRAMINEHL 
Genus Danthonia. 
Sub-Order Avenace/e. 
DANTHONIA THOMSONII, n.s. 
THOMSON’S NAKED OAT GRASS. 
{Plate XXXVL , 2.) 
A tufted grass, found at 1000—2000 feet altitude. Flowers December—January. Perennial. 
Culms 10—18 inches long, erect. Leaves 6—7 inches long, very narrow, involute, smooth. Sheathing 
leaves long; ligule o, or a line of short hairs round mouth of sheath, and long cilia on both sides. 
Panicle 2—3 inches long, contracted, open only when flowering, shortly branched. Spihelets few, J 
inch long, 6—8-flowered. Empty gAmes large, longer than the spikelets, 5-nerved. Flowering glume 
glabrous, shortly bifid at the top, with a short central awn, 7-nerved, and with 2 pencils of long hairs 
on each margin, pedicel with short tufts of hairs. Palea bifid, 2-nerved. Scales broad, 3-lobed, and 
crowned with cilia. Distribution of Species : NEW ZEALAND. 
This addition to the genus Danthonia was recently discovered by Mr. Petrie, on Mount St. 
Bathans, Otago. It is closely allied to Danthonia nucla, differing only in greater size, and the presence 
of 2 pencils of hairs on each margin of the flowering glume, instead of 1 pencil, as in that species. 
These characters being constant without intermediate forms necessitates a new name for the purpose of 
distinguishing these grasses, although, if this grass had been discovered first, Danthonia nucla might 
only have been considered as a small variety. This additional species to that variable group of the 
genus of which Danthonia semi-annularis is the type may be considered as equally valuable in nutrient 
qualities and bulk as any of the others, and worthy of cultivation. The whole of this family of grasses 
possess a large butter-producing capacity, the presence of which is easily proved to the experienced 
farmer, by merely chewing the culms, the flavour of the sap being as satisfactory a test to him as any 
analysis. Distribution in New Zealand : SOUTH ISLAND: MOUNT St. BATHANS, 
OTAGO, 1000—2000 FEET. 
Reference to Plate XXXVI., a.: Fig. i. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Floret. 4, 4'- Nervation ot 
empty glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 
