348 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES REDWOOD 



appearance of blood. It is rapidly generated, and is in some 

 parts believed by the peasantry to be showers of blood. It 

 has been seen in Scotland by the writer. 



Redwood. {See Humiri ; also Mahogany, Indian.) 

 Redwood of California (Sequoia semjoervirens), a tree of the 

 Coniferse family, native of California, attaining a height of 

 more than 300 feet. It has been introduced into this country 

 and found perfectly hardy, some specimens being from 30 to 40 

 feet high, forming fine ornamental trees. (See Wellingtonia.) 



Reeds, the culms or flower-stems of taU slender grasses, 

 the common Reed of this country being Phragmites communis, 

 growing on the banks of the Thames and other rivers, used for 

 thatching and other domestic purposes. In France it is planted 

 on the sea-coast with Pinus maritima to assist in fixing the 



sands. 



Reed Mace, also known by the name of Cat's-tail. Tyioha 

 latifolia, the great, and T. angustifolia, the lesser, Cat's-tail, re- 

 presentatives of the family Typhacese, are natives of this country 

 and throughout Europe and Northern Asia. They are perennial 

 rooted plants, with cane-like stems 5 to 8 feet in height, having 

 alternate, broad, grass-like, glaucous leaves, terminated by a 

 thick cylindrical head 6 to 8 inches in length, composed of 

 numerous florets, each formed of hair-like glumes. The flowers 

 are of separate sexes, the male containing a quantity of pollen, 

 of which in some parts a kind of bread is made. They grow in 

 lakes, rivers, and watery places, often forming thickets such as 

 that which occupied the boggy ground at Shepherd's Bush fifty 

 years ago, which is now covered with large mansions. 



Reindeer Moss (Cladoyiia rangiferina), a lichen ; an erect 

 finely-branched species of a white or grey colour, growing in 

 compact masses, about 6 inches high, and covering large tracts 

 of country throughout Northern Europe and Arctic America, 

 where it may be said to represent the herbage of more southern 

 latitudes. It is weU known as the principal food of the rein- 

 deer. 



Resin. (See Pitch.) 



