188 WILD FLOWERS OF SUMMEB. 



looking arrow-headed foliage of the "Water Arrow- 

 head (Sagittaria sagittifolia) . Its three-petalled white 

 flowers are marked generally with a pinkish spot in the 

 centre. The tuberous root is said to be rich in feculent 

 matter, useful for food after the acridity has been 

 washed out. 



In July we see the tall spike and whorled flowers 

 of the Water Dock (Eumex aquations) above the other 

 plants ; and not far off, the tall ragged foliage of the 

 Water Eagwort (Senecio aquaticus), surmounted by 

 its loose clusters or corymb of golden flowers. The 

 marsh St. John's Wort, and the small delicately white 

 Bedstraw (Qalium palustre) is frequently found by 

 the river-side; so is the bushy meadow Cranesbill, 

 and many other damp meadow flowers. 



Where there is a nook in the streamlet, or the water 

 is shallow, there we may find a number of singular- 

 looking plants, somewhat alike. These are the Mare's- 

 tail (Hippuris vulgaris), whose cane-like green stems, 

 surrounded by whorls of eight or ten dry horny leaves, 

 rising one above another, are different from all the 

 surrounding plants. Its flowers may be found, con- 

 sisting of one stamen and one pistil, at the base of 

 the upper leaves. The Horsetails (Equisetce) are 



