THE IOWA SEDGES. 315 



readilv. An equal amount of credit is perhaps due to the 

 birds, especially to the migratory water-fowl, which pass oyer 

 the state in great numbers every spring and autumn. The 

 small and very numerous seeds of the species of Cyperns, 

 Eleocharis. and other shore - loving sedges fall soon after 

 maturity, and mingling with the sand and mud on the shores 

 of lakes and streams may very readily adhere to the feet and 

 legs of these birds and be carried by them long distances in 

 their migrations, while the akenes of many of the larger fruited 

 sedges when eaten by the birds are undoubtedly protected 

 bv the indurated seed-coats which are characteristic of the 

 plants of this family. 



Those species of sedges which delight in very wet situa- 

 tions seldom flower or fruit except under normal condi- 

 tions of moisture. The author has observed several species 

 of Carex remaining unfruitful under unfavorable conditions 

 for a period of from live to ten years. 



The sedge flora of Iowa is characteristically eastern and 

 corresponds quite closely with that of the bordering states, 

 and though lying just east of the great plains, but one species. 

 Carex stenaphylla Wahl. has yet been found which does not 

 occur east of the Mississippi River. The richest portion of 

 the state in sedges is that bordering on this great water-way. 

 This mav be accounted for partly because of the greater 

 diversity of soil, surface, woodland, and prairie in that region, 

 and partly because the natural agencies for the distribution of 

 seeds, and the greater rainfall combine to favor that portion 

 of the state. 



In the preparation of this paper over one thousand speci- 

 mens, comprising several times that number of individual 

 plants, have been examined, representing all portions of the 

 state, especially the eastern-central, and northern portions 

 which have been the most thoroughly explored. The region 

 from Sioux City to the southwestern corner of the state is the 

 poorest represented in the citations, and it is in this region 

 that additional western species are to be the most confidently 

 expected. 



iv — 4 - D 2 



