236 



THE ANGLER'S SOUVENIR. 



Where there are large marshes, many acres 

 are often covered with the snowy white cotton- 

 grasses. It seems a pity the silky globes cannot 

 be utilised for some purpose ; but, in the mean- 

 time, we are well content to see the marsh flooded 

 with their silver overflow, and shining in the sun- 

 light. Growing in the water, on the borders of 

 slow streams with gravelly bottoms, and in the 

 shallows of lakes, one often sees that singular 

 plant the mare's-tail. It has an erect and jointed 

 stem, growing ten or twelve inches above the 

 surface ; its leaves are linear, or narrow and 

 grass-like, and grow in whorls at intervals up the 

 stem. It is easily pulled to pieces at the joints. 

 Besides its singularity and picturesqueness of 

 appearancs, it is said to be of use in purifying 

 stagnant water, and absorbing the inflammable air. 



Cats like the great wild valerian, if nobody else 

 does. Its powerful scent has a great attraction 

 for them, and they will roll in the leaves, and 

 smell, and grow almost frantic with excitement ; 

 and if any one were to put a small piece in his 

 pocket, the shyest pussy would court his company. 

 The valerian is one of the most conspicuous of the 

 plants which grow on the river borders, standing 

 as it does from three to four feet high, and with 

 large clusters of pale pink flowers. Its powerful 

 scent is decidedly unpleasant when close, and, in 

 its case, distance is certainly required to add en- 

 chantment to the smell ; but as an item of scenery 



