RIVER-SIDE FLOWERS. 



381 



and charo, to rejoice), is a very pretty plant, found in many 

 pools and slow-running rivers. The leaves, mostly float- 

 ing, are kidney-shaped, about an inch and a half broad, 

 fleshy and smooth, somewhat transparent, and purplish 

 underneath. The barren flowers are white, on long 

 flowery stalks, coming out of a two-leaved transparent 

 membraneous sheath ; the fertile flowers are also white, 

 and come out of a single sheath. Curtis says : " The 

 whole structure and economy of the Frog-bit is exceedingly 

 curious, deserving the minute attention of the inquisitive 

 botanist." Flowers July. 



The CLUB-RUSH or BULL-RUSH (Scripus lacustris) Fig. 

 in " E. B.," 1576. Hooker says the name is derived, 



THE CLUB OR BULL RUSH. 



according to Theis, from the Celtic word cirs, making 

 cors in the plural ; whence comes the English word cord, 

 the stems of this plant being made into cords is very 

 plentiful in our rivers, lakes, and ponds, and a very un- 

 pleasant addition it is to the other " weeds." Once catch 

 the fly firmly in it, the chances are you leave it there. 

 When the water is low it lies thick upon the streams. 

 The stems are very variable in size, often as thick as a 



