422 THE ALPINE FLORA 



which varies in size according to the species. They are 

 members of the Cyperaceae. 



E. Scheuchzeri (E. capitatum) (PI. XCV1 1). Rootstock 

 slender, spreading; stems cylindrical, 4-8 in.; heads 

 solitary, ovoid -globose. Alpine bogs. E. vaginatum 

 differs from it in a tufted, fibrous rootstock ; stems 

 trigonous, 12-16 in.; leaves many, stiff, narrow, 

 trigonous ; spikelet ovoid. Peat bogs of the Alps and 

 Jura. 



E. angusHfolium (PL XCV1I). Rootstock short, 

 thick; stem up to 20 in., almost cylindrical; leaves flat 

 but trigonous above the middle ; heads 2-6, drooping 

 after florescence, in umbellate cyme. All Swiss marshes. 

 In Z. latifolium the tufts are smaller, the bristles shorter, 

 the stem practically trigonous, with scaberulous and 

 often branching peduncles (smooth and simple in angust- 

 i folium). 



E. alpinum. A minute species only found in peaty 

 regions of the alpine zone (Alps and Jura). Forms 

 broad, compact tufts; stems 6 in., trigonous; spikelets 

 very small, almost miniatures; perianth-bristles wavy 

 and scanty. 



Carex, etc. 



The genus of the Sedges also belong to the Order 

 Cyperaceae. Nearly a thousand species are known, and 

 Switzerland possesses close upon one hundred. They 

 abound in all our mountains and wooded districts, 

 spreading their stiff, dry vegetation over waste and 

 marshy moors. 



Filices 



A sense of mystery and awe broods over this most 

 ancient, strange and distinctive among the families of the 



