Empty _glumes_ are unequal. The first _glume_ is hyaline very small, nerveless or one-nerved, subacute or subobtuse; the second _glume_ is much longer than the first glume, ovate-oblong subacute, keeled, membranous and one-nerved. _Flowering glumes_ vary from about 12 to 30 and in some well grown plants as many as 42, broadly ovate, obtuse or subacute, rigidly membranous, three-nerved (one median and two marginal) glabrous, keeled and keels are scaberulous near the apex; palea is oblong linear, a little curved, persistent, a little smaller than the glume, two-keeled; there are three _stamens_ with small purplish anthers and two small _lodicules_. The grain is oblong truncate at both ends, reddish brown, with a prominent groove on the dorsal side; embryo occupying nearly half the length of the grain. This grass grows abundantly in somewhat rich soils all over the Presidency and cattle eat it. It grows quickly and bears a fair amount of foliage. _Distribution._--Madras Presidency in the plains; also occurs in Ceylon. =Eragrostis pilosa, _Beauv._= This is a densely tufted annual grass. Stems are usually erect, slender and simple, flaccid, 3 inches to 3 feet. The _leaf-sheath_ is compressed, glabrous and bearded with long hairs close to the mouth. The _ligule_ is a ridge of hairs. The _leaf-blade_ is short, narrow, finely acuminate, 1-1/2 to 4 inches. The _panicle_ is oblong to pyramidal, flaccid, open or contracted erect or inclined, 2 to 8 inches; rachis is hairy or glabrous; branches are very fine filiform or capillary, more or less whorled, lower six inches long; branchlets are still finer and capillary. [Illustration: Fig. 225.--Eragrostis pilosa. 1. A portion of a branch with spikelets; 2 and 3. empty glumes; 4. flowering glumes; 5. palea; 6. grain.] _Spikelets_ are linear, grey tipped with purple, or often purplish, scattered, 1/8 to 1/5 by 1/30 to 1/20 inch, with pedicels shorter or longer than the spikelets. The _empty glumes_ are hyaline, very unequal, nerveless or the second which is ovate-lanceolate and larger than the first faintly 1-nerved. The _flowering glumes_ are ovate acute, paleate, 1/10 to 1/8 inch; palea is sub-persistent and keels of palea scaberulous. _Stamens_ are three with small violet anthers. Grain is ellipsoid laterally pointed at the base. This grass occurs in wet places or close to the margins of ponds, marshy situations all over the Presidency. _Distribution._--All over India and also in South Europe and most warm countries. =Eragrostis cynosuroides, _Beauv._= This is a tall perennial grass freely branching from the base and with stout stolons covered with shining sheaths. The root-stock is stout and creeping. The stems are tufted, smooth, erect, with fascicles of leaves at the base 1 to 3 feet high. The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous, slightly compressed, distinctly keeled, as broad or slightly broader than the blade at the mouth. _Ligule_ is a line of short hairs.