BULLRUSH SEDGE. 305 



Dr. Murray says that if a portion of this Egyptian paper 

 is held up to the light the ribs may be seen parallel, and 

 crossing each other at right angles. The more modern reed- 

 paper of Syracuse is made of the pith, not of the rind of the 

 Seed. 



The Bullrush of the Nile (Cyperus niloticus), was the plant 

 of which the ark was made in which the infant Moses was 

 exposed. Boats were constructed of the stems of this Bullrush 

 placed parallel and then transverse, and sails and cordage were 

 made of the rind. Pliny says that the only boat they have in 

 Abyssinia is formed of Eeeds sewed and gathered, stem and 

 stern, with a piece of Acacia as keel. 



The long drooping stems of the Sedge family, with their 

 waving leaves and bowed spikes tinged with purple, procured 

 for them in old times the name of " Long Purples." Thus 

 England's great poet speaks of them as forming a part of the 

 last wreath of the unfortunate Ophelia. 



** There is a Willow grows aslant a brook, 

 That shows his hoar leaves in the glassie stream ; 

 There with fantastic garlands did she come, 

 Of Crow flowers, Nettles, Daisies, and Long Purples, 

 And our cold maids do Dead Men's Fingers call them." 



And Tennyson adopts the same name 



' ' Round them blow, self-pleached and deep, 

 Bramble Roses faint and pale, 

 And'Long Purples of the dale." 



In the touching little poem of " The May Queen " the Bullrush 

 is enumerated among the delights which will be past for her 



When the flowers come again, Mother, beneath the waning light, 

 You'll never see me more in the long grey fields at night ; 

 When from the dry d irk wood the summer airs blow cool 

 On the Oat-grass, and the Sword-grass, and the Bullrush of the pool." 



The Sedge Warbler and the Water-hen would be highly 

 indignant if they heard the utility of the Sedges questioned. 

 Among them they find a home and food, and there they bring 

 up their little ones. 



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