178 COLONSAY 



Abundant in wet situations on the low ground. The 

 characters that are used for distinguishing between this and 

 the preceding species are not constant, and the two are 

 often found to merge into one another. The pith was 

 used for the old-fashioned rush-lights, the oil being obtained 

 from the liver of saiths (coal-fish). The pith was collected 

 beforehand, and hung up in the houses to dry. July. 



J. bulbosus, L. Along the shallow margins of Loch Fada 

 and in other wet situations, often exhibiting considerable 

 diversity in form and in shade of colour, from light green to 

 dark brown. July. 



J. bulbosus, var. fluitans. Loch Fada, in deeper water 

 than the preceding. 



J, subnodulosus, Schrank. Abundant at Aird, Machrins. 

 This kind was locally regarded as being superior to the 

 commoner kind (J. sylvaticus) for thatching, as it is harder 

 and lasts better. August. 



J. articulatus, L. Jointed Rush. Kiloran Bay sands. 



/. sylvaticus, Reich. Sharp-flowered Jointed Rush. 

 Frafann. The common species, abundant in meadows and 

 wet situations. It is largely used for thatching, as it lasts 

 longer than the Common Rush. July. 



Luzula, DC. 



Perennial herbs with flat, grass-like leaves growing in drier 

 situations than the Rushes. 



L. pilosa, Willd. Hairy Woodrush. Kiloran woods. 

 May. 



L. sylvatica, Gaud. Great Woodrush. Seileastair-nan- 

 Gobhar; Aineach. Abundant on rocky ledges and slopes 

 with a northern exposure. It is sometimes eaten by rabbits 

 in winter. May. 



L. compestris, DC. Field Rush. Common in dry pastures. 



