266 HAMPSHIRE DAYS 



tallest reed-mace with dark velvety brown spikes ; be- 

 hind them all, bushes and trees silvery-leafed willow 

 and poplar, and dark alder, and old thorns and brambles 

 in tangled masses; and always in the foreground 

 lighter and brighter sedges, glaucous green flags, 

 mixed with great hemp agrimony, with flesh-coloured, 



white-powdered flowers, and big-leafed coinfrey, and 

 scores of other water and moisture-loving plants. 



Through this vegetation, this infinite variety of re- 

 freshing greens and graceful forms, flow the rapid rivers, 

 crystal clear and cold from the white chalk, a most 

 beautiful water, with floating water-grass in it the 

 foscinating Poa fluviatilis which, rooted in the pebbly 

 bed, looks like green loosened wind-blown hair swaying 

 and trembling in the ever-crinkled, swift current. 



