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FLOWERING PLANTS. 187 
NAIADACEAE. 
Zostera marina, L. Grasswrack. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Very common all along the sandy shores, growing in large beds 
at low-water mark. The flowers are protected from the salt water 
under which they grow by the sheathing base of the leaf, which 
closely enfolds them until they are fertilised. 
This plant is called in the patois P/se, an obscure word, possibly 
connected with the verb pier, to bend, from the pliability of the 
leaves. In Normandy it goes by the name of Herdé, or Hervet. 
The dried plant is largely employed for stuffing mattresses and 
cushions, and for packing glass and chinaware. 
CYPERACEAE. 
Cyperus longus, L. Galingale. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Common in moist meadows in all parts of the island, but more 
plentiful in the lowlands. Small patches of this plant, a few yards 
square, are often left standing in hayfields when the grass is mown: 
later on these are cut, and used for binding purposes. 
Well known to Guernsey farmers under the name of Haz, as the 
plant is also called near Cherbourg. The origin of this word is un- 
known, and even Métivier makes no attempt to trace its etymology, 
though he says that mats and horse-collars are made of the plant in 
this island. Dr. Prior derives the word Galingale through the 
Italian and Spanish from the Persian Chal/an and the Arabic 
Khalanjan, so that possibly the word Han may be traced to the 
same root. The French name of the plant is Souchez. 
Schoenus nigricans, L. Black Bog Rush. 
Native. First found: Gosselin, 1788. 
Rare, though plentiful where it occurs. Grande Mare. On the 
shore at Cobo, going westward. Marsh between Vazon and 
Albecq. Field near Grandes Rocques Hotel. The only locality 
given in AY. Sarn. is ‘Grande Havre,’ which is very likely a clerical 
error for Grande Mare. There is a specimen in Gosselin’s 
herbarium, but it is not stated where it was found. 
Eleocharis palustris, R. Br. Marsh Club Rush. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Common throughout the island in wet meadows and marshy 
places. 
