g and up to 1/6
inch wide.

The _spikes_ are solitary, 10 to 12 inches long bearing spikelets
unilaterally.

[Illustration: Fig. 227.--Eragrostis bifaria.

1 and 1_a._ Spikelets; 2. and 3. empty glumes; 4 and 5. the flowering
glume and its palea; 6. the ovary, stamens and the lodicules.]

The _spikelets_ are ovate or ovoid to oblong, much compressed, usually
15- to 20-flowered and up to 40 and then linear, 1/4 to 2/3 inch long,
spreading, green or olive grey. The _empty glumes_ are one-nerved and
keeled. The _first glume_ is longer than the second glume, very acute or
acuminate. The _second glume_ is smaller than the first, with stout
rounded keel. The _flowering glumes_ are as long or slightly shorter
than the first glume, broadly ovate, sub-acuminate, with faint nerves
and paleate; _palea_ is shorter than its glume and with ciliate wings to
the keel. _Stamens_ are three. Grain is free.

This grass is very common in the plains in somewhat wet situations all
over the Presidency.

_Distribution._--Deccan Peninsula in India and also in Tropical Africa.

43. Oropetium, _Trin._

A very small densely tufted erect annual. Leaves are filiform. The
inflorescence is a simple slender curved spike. Spikelets are very
minute, one-flowered, half immersed in the alternating distichous
cavities of the rachis of the spike; rachilla is bearded. There are
three glumes in the spikelet. The first glume is very minute, empty,
hyaline and persistent. The second glume is linear-lanceolate, rigid,
empty, persistent recurved when old, tip obtuse or emarginate. The third
glume is shorter broader, hyaline, one-nerved, obtuse or truncate,
_palea_ is narrow with smooth keel. Lodicules are not found. Stamens are
three. Grain is oblong terete and free.

=Oropetium Thomaeum, _Trin._=

This is a very small densely tufted annual grass, never exceeding 3
inches in height and with compressed slender, tough stems.

The _leaf-sheath_ is compressed, membranous, short and open. The
_ligule_ is an erect lacerate membrane.

The _leaf-blade_ is filiform, shorter or longer than the stem, erect or
curved, coriaceous with the margins sparsely ciliate with long strict
hairs, 1/2 to 1 inch long.

The _spikes_ are solitary or fascicled curved on very short branches 1
to 1-1/2 inches long; rachis is green, undulating, tetragonous, with a
broad central nerve on the flat faces.

[Illustration: Fig. 228.--Oropetium Thomaeum.

1. Spike; 2. spikele