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 30 PAMPAS GRASS southern forms an immense desert interspersed with sand pools ; the eastern, extensive plains and marshes, with tracts entirely inundated; while the western border rises gradually into the elevated region of Salta, Tucuman, Santi- ago, Cordova, and San Luis, in the Argentine Republic, and into the Andes proper in Pata- gonia. The natural features of the northern and northwestern parts are plains of magnifi- cent pasture, dense timber forests, and numer- ous lagoons and rivers, chief among the last being the Pilcomayo and the Bermejo. The central portion is distinguishable into several subdivisions, differing in climate and products, although under the same parallel. Proceeding westward from Buenos Ayres, the first of these presents for nearly 200 m. an alternate growth of clover and thistles ; the next, a covering of long grass and brilliant flowers extending with- out a weed some 400 m. further westward; the third, reaching to the base of the Andes, one continuous grove of shrubs and small evergreen trees, so evenly set that a horseman may gallop at random between them without inconvenience. Change of season brings little variation in the aspect of the two regions last referred to ; but in the first remarkable muta- tions occur. During the winter months the thistles and clover are exceedingly rich and strong, and support countless herds of wild cattle. On the approach of spring the clover disappears, and nothing is distinguishable save an immense forest of giant thistles, so closely set and so strong as to form an impenetrable barrier. In summer the thistles give place to a new and luxurious growth of clover. Nu- merous rivers traverse the central and south- ern parts, but the only absolutely perennial stream is the Rio Negro, which forms the boundary line with Patagonia. The Andine regions abound in guanacos, llamas, and vicu- nas ; deer, wild hogs, and armadillos are every- where found; ostriches are plenty; and the rodent tocutuco and vizcacha render travel dan- gerous from their burrowings. PAMPAS GRASS (gynerium argenteum), a large perennial grass from the plains of South Amer- ica. It is dioecious, and the generic name (Gr. yw#, female, and eptov, wool, hair) is derived from the fact that the glumes of the female flowers are furnished with long hairs, which are lacking in the male flowers. An old and well established specimen of this grass presents an enormous tuft 4 to 6 ft. high and as much or more across, of very long narrow leaves, with rough edges, which curve gracefully and make the plant highly ornamental for its foliage alone. It flowers at the end of summer or in early autumn, throwing up numerous stalks, sometimes in an old plant as many as 40 or 50, which are from 4 to 15 ft. high, according to the strength of the plant, each surmounted by a dense panicle of flowers 1 or 2 ft. long, which in the pistillate plant are of a beautiful silky, silvery lustre. The flowers are similar in structure to those of our common reed PAMPHILUS (phragmites), to which it is closely related, with but two florets in each spikelet. This grass was first introduced into cultivation by seeds sent from Buenos Ayres to England in y, I Pampas Grass (Gynerium argenteum). 1843, and is now quite common;. it is easily raised from seed; but as female plants are much more ornamental than the males, and as there is no way of telling the sex of the plants until they bloom, it is customary to multiply it by division of old plants, the sex of which is known. It is barely hardy in the climate of New York. Further south no protection is needed. Varieties have been obtained in which the plumes are tinged with purple, others with ellow, and there is one form in which the eaves are variegated with white. PAMPELUNA. See PAMPLONA. PAMPHILUS, a Greek painter, born in Am- phipolis, flourished between 390 and 350 B. C. Not more than four or five of his pictures are specified by ancient authors, but Quintilian says he was one of the most celebrated among the Greeks for composition. He was the mas- ter of Apelles and Melanthius. PAMPHILUS, an early Christian writer, born probably in Berytus, suffered martyrdom in Csesarea, Feb. 16, 309. He studied in Berytus, and under Pierius in Alexandria, and became a presbyter of Csesarea in Palestine. About the close of 307 he was imprisoned, and finally put to death, for refusing to sacrifice to thp gods. With his most intimate friend Eusebius, who
 * attended him in his imprisonment and assumed

! his name, he probably wrote five books of " The I Apology for Origen." At Caesarea he formed a public library, chiefly of ecclesiastical works, which became very celebrated, and founded a theological school. In conjunction with Euse- bius he prepared an edition of the Septuagint, which was commonly used in the eastern church. The Expositio Capitum Actuum Apostolicorum