The Botany of Hingham. 131 



86. ALISMACE-3EJ. (WATER PLANTAIN FAMILY.) 



Aii order of marsh or water plants, chiefly natives of northern 

 latitudes. The root-stock of one species is esculent ; otherwise 

 the family is of no use to man. 



Sagittaria, L. 



variabilis, Euglm. Arrow-head. 



87. NAIADACB5!. (PONDWEED FAMILY.) 



Aquatic plants found in both salt and fresh waters in all 

 countries. 



Triglochin, L. 



maritima, L. Arrow-grass. 



Potamogeton, Touru. 



natans, L. Pondweed. 

 Pennsylvanicus, Chain, 

 hybridus, Mx. 

 pulcher, Tuck. 

 pauciHorus, Pursh. 

 pucillus, L. 



Zostera, L. 



marina, L. Eel-grass. 



Ruppia, L. 



maritima. Ditch-grass. 



88. ERIOCATJLE^J. (PlPEWORT FAMILY.) 



An order of plants growing in or contiguous to water, and 

 mostly natives of South America. But one species has been 

 found in Hingham. This grows on the borders of ponds, only 

 a few inches high ; but in deep water the stem attains a length 

 of several feet. 



Eriocaulon, L. 



septangulare, With. Pipewort. 



89. CYPERACE51. (SEDGE FAMILY.) 



An order of plants akin to the Grasses, which occur in all 

 zones. They are generally of low growth, although some species, 

 as the Bulrush and Papyrus, reach a respectable size. The 

 family is of little importance as compared with the Grasses, 

 although the Egyptian Papyrus was of great value for a num- 

 ber of purposes in ancient times, and the Bulrush and Cotton 

 Grass are now used in the arts. A few species are esculent or 

 medicinal. 



Cyperus, Tourn. 



diandrus Torr. 

 Nuttallii, Torr. 



