The _leaf-blade_ is narrow, linear, tapering to a fine point, convolute in bud, scabrid above and smooth below, with a minutely serrate, very narrow, hyaline margin, 1 to 10 inches long and 1/12 inch broad. The _inflorescence_ is a lax, narrow, subsecund panicle, varying in length from 3 to 12 inches, and with a slender glabrous peduncle; the main rachis is filiform and glabrous; branches are either solitary or binate, unequal; branched either from the middle or the base; _pedicels_ are short and capillary. [Illustration: Fig. 172.--Aristida Adscenscionis. 1. A spikelet; 2. first and second glumes; 3. palea; 4. lodicules, stamens and ovary; 5. third glume with awns; 6. grain.] The _spikelets_ are narrow, erect, green, occasionally also purplish, 1/4 to 1/3 inch long exclusive of the awn. There are three _glumes_. The _first glume_ is linear-lanceolate, acute, membranous, 1-nerved with a scaberulous keel, 1/16 to 3/16 inch long. The _second glume_ is longer than the first, linear-lanceolate, acute, occasionally 2-toothed and apiculate, 1-veined about 1/4 inch long and with a smooth keel. The _third glume_ is as long as the second or slightly longer, laterally compressed, 3-nerved, smooth but scaberulous along the keel, awned; there are three scabrid _awns_, varying in length from 1/2 to 3/4 inch, continuous with the glume without a column, not jointed, and the middle awn is longer than the lateral ones; the callus is long, pointed and villous. There is a minute _palea. Lodicules_ are two, similar to the palea in size, linear oblong. _Anthers_ are yellow dotted with purple. The _ovary_ is oblong linear with two white feathery _stigmas_. Grain is long and linear. This when young is eaten by cattle, but they do not like it when in flower. _Distribution._--Occurs all over the Presidency in the plains and the low hills. =Aristida setacea, _Retz._= This is a tall coarse perennial grass with hard, smooth and polished, stout, erect simple or branched stems, 3 to 4 feet. Roots are stout and wiry. The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous, cylindrical. The _ligule_ is a row of short hairs. The _nodes_ are glabrous. The _leaf-blade_ is linear, coriaceous, convolute, glabrous, strongly nerved, 6 to 12 inches long. The _inflorescence_ is a contracted _panicle_ varying from 6 to 18 inches with short, erect or subsecund branches. [Illustration: Fig. 173.--Aristida setacea. 1. The spikelet; 2 and 3. the first and the second glume; 4. the lower portion of the third glume, anther, ovary and the lodicules; 5. palea of the third glume.]