135 



the filaments : hence the germen seems to be attenuated below. 

 Stem with a stout central pith, with membranous tubes of 

 looser texture interposed between it and the external part. 

 Some of the bristles in the flower seem to be attached to the 

 receptacle higher up than the base of the filaments, but still 

 three of these bristles are at the exterior base of those fila- 

 ments. 



23. Eriophorum polystachion. — In this, the stalks of the 

 spikes are smooth, and evidently compressed. Except in the 

 broader leaves, it hardly differs from E. angustifolium. 



It is very doubtful whether any real difference exists 

 between E. polystachion^ angustifolium^ and gracile. I saw them 

 all growing together in Wales, and sought carefully, but 

 in vain, for characters. Assuredly none exists in the fructifi- 

 cation, for they agree most exactly in every respect but the 

 length of the seed-down. It is true that in E. polystachion the 

 root does not seem to creep as in the two others, but this is 

 with difficulty determined, since the plant grows to a great 

 depth in the bogs, and no ordinary methods will extract 

 the root in a perfect state : it is not improbable that E. poly- 

 stachion^ if planted in a different soil, would throw out creep- 

 ing shoots like the others. 



24. Eriophorum puhescens. — Anglesea, June 4, 1828. — 

 Often taller than E. polystachion, and the leaves always much 

 broader in proportion, so as to be nearly lanceolate, with a 

 very short triangular point. Stalk of the spikes furrowed, 

 rough, but not downy, with the setulce pointing forwards. 

 Glumes very acute, with a strong mid-rib, reaching nearly 

 to the summit, entire, and scarcely membranous in the 

 margin. 



25. Alopecurus agrestis. — June, 1827, near Liverpool, (not 

 common.) — Stems often branched. The styles become at 

 length distinct: they do not appear very short. 



26. Knappia a^rostidea. — Anglesea, May 7, 1828. — Stems 

 not very evidently angular, thickened just below the spike, 

 covered with pellucid dots; leaves with a similar kind of 

 pubescence on both sides. Stipules generally 4-toothed. 



