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in length, rounded on the back, thin, membranous, veined, pale-green, becoming white as the grain ripens ; pales 2, shorter than the glumes, lower one faintly nerved, lanceolate, bifid, rounded on the back, smooth, afterwards hard and firm, pale-green, awned ; awn proceeding from the back of the pale and 1½ times as long, rough and twisted ; upper pale rather shorter than the lower, thin, transparent, 2-toothed ; margins inflexed. Within the pales are two small ciliate scales (lodicules). Stamens 3, exserted ; anthers yellow. Styles 2, short feathery, white. Fruit (the grain) closely covered by, but not adherent to, the hard persistent pales, ⅓in. in length, narrowly oval-oblong, hairy, and with a deep furrow on the inside. (Duthie.)

Uses : — It is believed to produce poisonous and deleterious effects. (Stewart).

Regarding its use in the treatment of Diabetes, see my brochure " Diabetes and its Dietetic Treatment " (8th Edition, 1917). B. D. B.

Syn :— Panicum dactylon, Linn.

Sans. : — Durva.

Vern. : — Duba, kâli ghâs, râm ghâs, nil dub, dhupsa, hariali, (H.) ; Dûb, daurva, dubra, kabbar, talla, (Pb.) ; Burawa (Trans-Indus); Chibhar (Sind); Dub, dûrbâ, (B.) ; Dobi-ghâs (Santal) ; Durva, karala, haryeli (Mar.) ; Arugam-pilla, hariali (Tam.) ; Ghericha, haryali (Tel.).

Habitat : —Throughout India.

Stem slender, prostrate, widely creeping, forming matted tufts, with slender erect or ascending flowering branches 3-12 in. high. Leaves ¾-4 by 1/20-⅛ in., narrowly linear or lanceolate, finely acute to pungent, more or less glaucous, soft, smooth, usually conspicuously distichous in the barren shoots, and at the base of the stems ; sheaths tight, glabrous or hairy, sometimes bearded at the mouth ; ligule a very fine ciliate rim.