The genera investigated were classified according to Pilger and the position of the tribes Arundinelleae, Phyllorachieae, Stipea and Aristideae in this system of classification was critized. The chromosome numbers of 79 species belonging to 45 genera have been counted. Fifty-seven of these species were recorded for the first time, or chromosome numbers differing from earlier counts were reported. The following genera were previously unknown cytologically: -Schnzidtia (n=9); Phyllorachis (n=12); Bewsia (n=10); Miscanthidium (n=10); Urelytrur (n=10); Chrysopogon (n=10) and Trachypogon (n=10). The inclusion of the genus Ehrharta in the tribe Phalarideae was criticized. It was suggested that this genus should be transferred to the tribe Oryzeae, It was also pointed out that the genus Trtrachne belongs in the Eragrosteae.