RIVER-SIDE FLOWERS. 367 



One of the most common of water-plants is the WATER 

 CROWFOOT (Ranunculus aquatilis) Fig. in " E. B.," 17. It is 

 found in almost every river, lake, or pond. The flowers 

 are white, with yellow centre (stamens). The leaves which 

 grow under the water are two or three forked. The float- 

 ing leaves are three-sided, with cut lobes. It flowers in 

 May and June. There are several varieties of the Water 

 Crowfoot. That which is mostly found in our fast- running 

 streams is the Ranunculus pseudo-fluitans, and may be 

 distinguished from the above in the submerged leaves being 

 more like tassels, and in often having no floating leaves. 



The WATER SWEET-GRASS or WHORL-GRASS (Catabrosa 

 aquaticd) Fig. in " E. B.," 1750 from the Greek word 

 katabrosis, a gnawing, from the gnawed -like appearance of 

 the husks is a very pretty, graceful grass found on the 

 margins of our ponds and rivers. It is one of the sweetest 

 of our grasses, and all kinds of water-fowl are particularly 

 fond of the young shoots. The stems when growing in 

 the water are partly floating. The leaves are strap- 

 shaped, nearly flat, bright green in colour, smooth except 

 at their margins. The panicles (i.e., assemblage of flowers 

 growing on divided stalks, as in the oat) are alternate. 

 Flowers May and June. 



The COMFREY (Symphytum officinale Fig. in " E. B.," 

 1115 from the Greek sumphuo, to grow together, from 

 its supposed power of healing wounds with its hanging 

 clusters of purple and white flowers, and rough stems and 

 leaves, is well known to many who frequent the river's 

 bank. The stem rises to two or three feet in height ; the 

 leaves at the root are on long foot-stalks, and are very 

 rough ; the clusters of purple and white flowers grow in 

 pairs and are drooping. The colours vary much. It is 

 often found with yellowish-white flowers only. The root 

 abounds in a pure mucilage, which renders it useful in 

 coughs and all internal irritations. The leaves give a 

 grateful flavour to cakes and panada. Cows and sheep eat 

 it ; horses, goats, and swine refuse it. A decoction of the 

 roots is used by dyers to extract the colouring-matter from 

 gum lac. Flowers May and June. 



