Monograph of \or: A '■ 



..AR. essen. Monoiea (rariss. dioic ;) amentum (?pica) 

 imbricatum ; gluma unidora : corolla ventricosa. 1-valvis 

 persistent caryopsidem includens. 



The genu? Carex is the most numerous in species of the 

 Ctperacej:. According to Agardh,* there are -32S species 

 known to botanists. W ith very few exceptions they are ex- 

 clusively found in the northern hemisphere, and they dimin- 

 ish in number towards die equator. Europe and North 

 America contain about ail equal number, and a tew are com- 

 mon to both continents. Asia and Africa contribute but a 

 small number of species. They are mostly natives of b< 

 and marshy place?. 



The general habit of the Carices.is a creeping root, simple 

 triquetrous culm, without joints : coarse cariuate leaves, and 

 a spiked inflorescence. The sheaths of the leaves are entire, 

 not longitudinally cleft as in the Gramixe^:. except when 

 old. At the base of the spike and spikelets there is usually 

 a bractea which is sometimes foliaceous. at other times merely 

 an enlargement at" the lower glume. 



On account of the great number of species in this gem- 

 is necessary to arrange them under analytical subdivisions. 

 The objection, that the diagnostic characters of these art 

 sufficiently constant, does not appear to be well founded. 1 

 i- true, doubts may arise concerning such ebaracteristi< - 

 in their nature and terms, are relative, and therefore more or 

 less ambiguous. But a very little practice will obviate 

 difficulty, and render the judgment of the examiner sufficiently 

 correct to prevent serious mistakes. It is proper, in all c 

 to observe a considerable number of specimeus. in order to 



Aphoristri Botanici, p. 141. Th > •? .1 mmbh ceater number t:. 

 described in the works to which It ■•». sur Us G 



mme- . io and tbe 



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