690 



surrounding branches. The stria; are more distinct than in the fertile 

 stem ; three or four of the ridges run into each of the lobes of the 

 sheaths, and unite in its apex. 



The branches are very slender, long, and drooping ; they are com- 

 monly divided into twelve or fourteen joints, of which the first and 



Equisetiim sylvaticum (fertile stem). 



last are the shortest, and the second, third and fourth the longest, and 

 emit from near their extremities other slender, long, and drooping 

 branches. This second series of branches is of no uncommon occur- 

 rence in Equisetum Telmateja and E. arvense, but in these species it 



