RIVER-SIDE FLOWERS. 



389 



called reed-ronds in some parts of the East of England, 

 which harbour many birds, amongst them the Bearded 

 Titmouse (Pants biamarcus) and the Reed- Warbler. An 

 extensive use is made of the culms for thatching, &c. In 

 Sweden it is used as a dye. The creeping stems contain 

 sugar, and the young shoots make a good pickle. The 

 stem was formerly used as a pen (calamus] for writing. 

 Flowers July. The common fishing-rods of the Continent, 

 particularly in iFrance, Switzerland, and 

 Italy, are fabricated of the much stouter 

 stems of the Arundo donax, a native of 

 the South of Europe. 



Of the same order is the REED CANARY- 

 GRASS (Phalaris arundinaced] Fig. in 

 " E. B.," 1697 which is often found by 

 the sides of rivers and lakes. It is used 

 much for securing river-banks. It is 

 cultivated in gardens, and has variegated 

 leaves ; goes by the name of Ribbon-Grass. 

 Flowers July and August. 



The REED MEADOW-GRASS (Poa aqua- 

 tied) Fig. in " E. B.," 1751 rises four 

 to six feet in height. The panicle of flowers 

 much branched and erect ; leaves sword- 

 shaped. Flowers July and August. 



The FLOATING MEADOW-GRASS (Poa 

 fluitans] Fig. in " E. B.," 1752-1753 

 another of our river grasses, with creep- 

 ing roots ; gives shelter to fish and to 

 the various larvae of the water-insects. 

 Flowers July and August. 



The GREAT CAT'S TAIL or REED-MACE 

 (Typha latifolia)Fig. in " E. B.," 1685 

 from Tt<o9, a marsh, improperly called the 

 Bull-Rush, which is really a totally different 

 plant (see Scirpus lacustris) ; is frequently 

 found on the borders of rivers and lakes, associated with 

 the Yellow Iris and Common Reed. The stems rise from 

 three to six feet high ; leaves very long, sometimes nearly 



THE REED-MACE. 



