THE RUSH FAMIIiT. 41 7 



very slightly branched, and often viviparous, or producing young plants among 

 the capsules. The latter is often found floating on shallow water, covering the 

 surface with a tangled mass of leaf and stem. The lamprocarpiis is almost as 

 common as the normal form of the plant, but generally grows in drier ground ; 

 the uliginosus is abundant on Hale Moss, and in most places of similar nature. 



5. Blunt-floweeed Jointed Rush — {Juncus obtusijldrus.) 



Wet places, like the preceding, but much less frequent. Abundant 



on Hale Moss. Pondsides at Levenshulme. Fl. July, August, later 



than the acutijlorus. 



E. B. XXX. 2144. 



Easily distinguished by its cylindrical leaves and pale and entangled panicle, 

 the last divisions of which are much reflected. 



6. Toads' Rush — {Juncus bufonius.) 



Moist, low, swampy, and barren ground, especially such as lies under 

 tvater during winter, common. Fl. July, August. 



E. B. xii. 802. 



7. Great Wood-rush — (Luzula sylvdtica.) 



Woods in the hilly districts, plentiful. Ashworth Wood. Bredbury 

 Wood. Near Clifton Aqueduct. Fl. May, June. 



Curtis, ii. 318 ; E. B. xi. 737 (both as Juncus sylvaticus). 

 A remarkably handsome and graceful plant. 



8. Common Wood-rush — {Liizula pilosa.) 



Everywhere in woods and doughs, one of the earliest flowers of 

 spring, but unpretending, and liable to be overlooked. Fl. March — 



May. 



Curtis, ii. 317; E. C. xi. 730 (both as Juncus pilosus). 



9. Meadow Wood-rush — (Liizula campestris.) 



Dry meadows and pastures, everywhere, often growing among the 

 young hay-grass. Fl. April, May. 



Curtis, i. 91 ; E. B. x. 665 (both as Juncus campestris) ; Baxter, v. 379. 



Like the pilosa, one of the earliest flowers of spring, and conspicuously dis- 

 tinguished from the vernal grasses, with which it is generally associated, by the 

 deep brown of its flower-buds. The blossoms, when open, are of a beautiful star- 

 like figure, and have large yellow anthers. 



29 



