This paper compares the results of numerical simulations for two-dimen
sional, rapid, homogeneous shear flows of identical, smooth, inelastic
disks with the predictions of Jenkins and Richman ((1988), J. Fluid M
ech. 192, 313-328) for the relaxation of the second moments of the vel
ocity distribution function following a homogeneous, but anisotropic d
isturbance of their steady values. For nearly elastic disks, the time-
history of the relaxation is in excellent agreement with the theory in
both its dense and dilute limits. However, deviations are observed in
the case of inelastic particles.