2.--Leptochloa chinensis.

1. A portion of the spike; 2 and 3. the first and the second glume; 4
and 5 the flowering glume and its palea; 6. the stamens and the ovary.]

The _spikelets_ are small, shortly stalked, 4- to 8-flowered, 1/10 to
1/6 inch with the _rachilla_ produced between the flowering glumes. The
_first glume_ is small, oblong, obtuse or apiculate. The _second glume_
is similar to the first but twice as long as the first glume. The _third
glume_ and the succeeding flowering glumes are ovate-oblong, obtuse or
apiculate, with sub-marginal lateral veins; _palea_ are broadly oblong
with silkily ciliate keels. _Anthers_ are usually very small. Grain is
oblong, obtusely trigonous, or concavo-convex, red-brown and rugulose on
the ventral side.

This grass is very common amidst paddy in wet lands and in wet
situations.

_Distribution._--Throughout India and Ceylon in wet places. Also in
China, Japan and Australia.

CHAPTER X.

TRIBES VII AND VIII--FESTUCACEAE AND HORDEAE.

=Festucaceae= is of minor importance as it is not well represented in the
South India. Only about half a dozen genera occur and most of them on
the hills. The spikelets are usually 2- or more-flowered, pedicelled and
in panicles, open or contracted. The rachilla is produced beyond the
flowering glumes and articulate at the base just above the empty glumes.

Inflorescence a raceme, spikelets 2- to
3-flowered, turbinate; glumes single-awned. 40. Pommereulla.

Inflorescence paniculate, spikelets few
or many-flowered, glumes many-nerved
and many-awned. 41. Pappophorum.

Inflorescence various, spikelets 2- to
many-flowered, flowering glumes 1-
to 3-nerved entire, empty glumes
shorter than the lowest flowering
glume, grain very minute. 42. Eragrostis.

=Hordeae= is also a minor tribe and is represented by only one genus in
South India.

The spikelets are one-or more-flowered, sessile, 1- or 2-seriate on the
rachis, and somewhat sunk in cavities; the rachilla is jointed at the
base and is produced beyond the flowering glumes, glumes awned or not.

Spikelets 1- to 3-flowered, first glume very
minute or wanting, second as long as the
hyaline, third spike compressed, solitary. 43. Oropetium.

40. Pommereulla, _Linn. f._

This is a short, stout, creeping perennial grass. Spikelets are 2- to
3-flowered, distichously racemed, narrowly tur