THE STONE SKELETON OF 

 THE SCOURING-RUSH 



fitly ^th 



MUST not omit a further allusion to the 

 other very interesting structural feature 

 of our scouring- rushes, particularly as it 

 explains this popular christening, which 

 is especially applied to one particular 

 species E. hyemale. 



The plant consists of a hollow jointed 

 main stem like the others, but without the circular clus- 

 ters whorls of fringe -like branches, and often grows 

 to the height of three feet and the diameter of a lead- 

 pencil. It was from these that our old-time housewives 

 made the scouring- brushes for their tins and kettles, 

 already alluded to. 



The stems are hollow, and easily separate at the 

 joints; and if we would satisfy ourselves of the peculiar 

 property which suggested their use for scouring pur- 

 poses, we need only draw one of their joints across the 

 edge of our teeth to be convinced. It is like a file. It 



