86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess, LXxIV. 
great profusion, while near the end of the rotation of the 
shrubs it flowers comparatively little and is much less 
obvious, but responds quickly at any place where there is an 
increase of liight—such as along paths, ete. 
With regard to all three factors P. vulgaris is much 
less exacting and has a much wider range of habitats in 
consequence. It seems very indifferent to lime unless the 
amount rises too high, as above the chalk, and can flourish 
in quite non-calcareous soils. 
Wherever the two species occur in close proximity hybrids 
occur in large quantity. These hybrids seem to have a 
slightly wider range of soil conditions than P. elatior, but 
not nearly so much as P. vulgaris. With regard to 
water content they seem able to flourish in soils too dry 
for P. elatior. But on this point further investigation is 
necessary. 
To summarise, P. elatior demands a soil with high 
water content, especially in spring, but not a saturated 
soil. This must be combined with a moderate but not 
excessive amount of lime. Where either of these conditions 
is unfulfilled, it ceases to flourish and P. vulgaris occurs 
alone, which makes much less demand on the soil. 
Other factors certainly come into play in determining the 
distribution, but in the eastern county woods the above seem 
the most important. 
The flowering season of P. elatior is very short; it starts 
a week or more later than P. vulgaris and ceases a consider- 
able time before, and how far this character influences the 
distribution would make a very interesting study. 
CAREX AQUATILIS, WAHLB., AND ITS ScoTTISH Forms. By 
ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S. 
C. aquatilis, Wahlb., in “ Vet. Akad. Handl.” (Stockholm), 
1803, p. 165. 
Richter! quotes it as of “Act. Holm.,” but the other 
reference is more easily found. 
He gives under it four varieties, but of these nardifolia, 
Wahlb. Le., belongs to C. Goodenovii, Gay, as authentic 
1 “Plant. Europ.” 1. (1890), p. 155. 
