lAva., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 215 
Botany. 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF NEW GUINEA. 
By F. MANSON BAILEY, F.L.S., 
Colonial Botanist. 
Order LYCOPODIACER. 
SELAGINELLA, Spring. 
(Serres—Cauxescentes. Group—lFraBeLnaTZ.) 
; wi palu-paln (Aboriginal name), Bail. ‘The rhizome creeping and forming 
er dense patches of erect stems 5 to 8 in. high. The upper decompound 
Portion of stem deltoid in outline, 8 to 4 in. long, and about as broad near 
& base, branches rather close, branchlets flat, scarcely $-line broad, the end 
ones much elongated, the lower half on the stem simple and scarcely exceeding 
tline in diameter. Leaves of stem and branches rather distant, about 13 line 
Sng, lanceolate, closely sessile, base subauriculate, margins serrulate, midrib 
Ptominent and nearly central. Spikes squarrose, slightly exceeding 1 line 
Without the minute sterile tip. Bracts ovate, tapering into filiform points, 
targins broadly scarious in the lower part and, as well as the midrib, serrulate. 
Pores white, much exposed. 
sha poe : Eastern New Guinea, on steep hill-sides, generally under overhanging stones in dense 
>. Gt. Roberts. : ; 
‘a pas beautiful new species in some respects approaches S. Muelleri, Baker, 
a ourn, Bot. 1885, 122, of which I have no specimens. IT may further 
Mark of the present species that its erect stems curve gracefully backwards, 
at the central pinne are lanceolate, the lower ones producing from near their 
se long narrow branches. The leaves on my specimens are not imbricate, and 
aie margins, although more or less scarious show no signs of having been 
ite, and the bracts are not cuspidate. 
STINK GRASS OF BRAZIL, 
x: Mr. F, M. Bailey says:—Seeds of the grass now brought under notice 
uiste received from the Agent-General, London, as a species likely to prove a 
Muable addition to the drought-resisting species already indigenous in 
Meensland. 
. The only name attached to the seed was “ stink grass” of Brazil, and the 
Ystematic name could not be fully ascertained until flowers were produced. 
obtas ‘rom a small quantity sown some few months ago, a good growth has been 
ee ‘ined, and the plants are now in full flower. The grass proves to be Melinis 
"utiflora, Beauy., and is figured in the Brazilian Flora under the name of 
“Ncum Melinis, Trin. 
fodd he species has a vigorous habit, is very leafy, and likely to prove a good 
er grass, but as to its drought-resisting properties, and whether 1t will stand 
‘zing, these have to be yet proved. ; 
and The height when in flower is about 4: or 5 feet, leafy to the inflorescence, 
Bran or less clothed particularly at the joints with glandulose hairs, which 
irs ly suggested one of the names, Tristegis glutinosa ; it possesses a SoMe- 
Ry Hc nae odour, but not of such a disagreeable character as to account 
€ only vernacular name by which it seems to be known. 
