298 TYPHACE.E. 



edges of the Looe River. It is distinguished from the Marsh 

 Arrow-grass by having six styles instead of three, broader 

 fruit, and more fleshy leaves. 



The REED-MACE order succeeds the Arrow-grasses, and they 

 all like to grow in several feet of water. 



The Great Reed-mace (Typha latifolia, Plate XVII. , fig. 4), 

 is a regal-looking plant, seven or eight feet high, an immense 

 club of brownish flowers crowning the summit. It grows along 

 with the common Reed in a pond at Hill Deverill, in Wilt- 

 shire, and the tall stems look like a regiment of soldiers. The 

 flowers containing stamens are situated in the upper part of the 

 spike, and those containing styles in the lower part, If a spike 

 of this Reed-mace in full bloom be brushed near a lighted 

 candle a flash of light ensues. This phenomenon is referred by 

 some persons to an electric property in the plant, but I believe 

 that it is only that the scattered pollen ignites. On the Con- 

 tinent the down of the spikes is sometimes used for stuffing 

 pillows, and the root is occasionally eaten as salad. 



There are a Lesser Reed-mace (T. angustifolia), of a slighter 

 form, and with the leaves semi- cylindrical and channelled 

 above; and a Dwarf Reed-mace (T. minor), with very narrow 

 leaves, and a space in the spike between the male and female 

 flowers. Both these species are rare, and Sir J. E. Smith does 

 not consider the last-mentioned a British plant. 



The Burr-reeds come next. 



The Branched Burr-reed (Sparganium ramosum), is a hand- 

 some plant, and grows along with the Arrowhead and Flower- 

 ing Rush in the Learn and Avon. I have seen ditches full of 

 it in Durham ; but it was pointed out to Edward in Kent as a 

 rare plant. The leaves are triangular at the base, and the 

 flower-stalk is branched. The flowers in all the species are 

 arranged in heads, the upper heads with stamens, the lower with 

 styles. It is very pretty when in full bloom, for the stamens 

 and styles are long, and the pollen yellow, so that the appear- 

 ance is as if yellow feathery balls were scattered over the plant. 



