494 THE SEDGE FAMILY. 



prominent, is very convex, not flattened as in the latter species. This 

 variety is connected with the more common state of 0. paniculata, by 

 numerous intermediate forms, often considered as a species under the 

 name of O. paradoxa, Willd. 



13. C. vulpina, Linn. (fig. 1123). Fox C.A short, tufted plant, 

 2 to 3 or even 4 feet high, with rather broad but not very long leaves, 

 ending in a fine point, and a sharply-triangular stem, with broader sides 

 than in C. paniculata. Spikelets numerous, green or pale brown, densely 

 crowded into a terminal spike of 1 to 2 inches, always more or less com- 

 pound and interrupted as the base, but the branches never elongated. 

 The outer bracts of the lower clusters of spikelets have a fine leafy 

 point. The individual spikelets are ovoid, many -flowered, all male at 

 the top. Styles 2-cleft. Fruits much flattened, spreading when ripe, 

 with a green or pale brown, rather broad beak. 



In marshes and wet meadows, throughout Europe and Russian Asia, 

 except the extreme north, and in North America. Frequent in England 

 and Ireland, more scarce and chiefly a coast plant in Scotland. PL 

 early summer. 



14. C. muricata, Linn. (fig. 1124). Prickly 0. A much smaller 

 plant than the last two, seldom attaining a foot in height, with rather 

 narrow leaves shorter than the stem. Spikelets about 6, rather short, 

 brown or shining green, all mixed, having a few male flowers at the top 

 of each, either all simple and crowded in a terminal spike of about an 

 inch, or the lower ones rather more distant and sometimes slightly 

 compound. Outer bracts mostly terminating in short fine points. 

 Styles usually 2-cleft. Fruits rather large, 2 lines long when ripe, 

 pointed and spreading as in C. echinata. 



In marshy and gravelly pastures, throughout Europe, temperate Asia, 

 except the extreme north, and North America. Not uncommon in 

 England, Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. early summer. 



0. divulsa, Gooden., appears to be a variety of muricata growing in 

 less open situations, with longer stems and leaves, and paler, more 

 distant spikelets, forming an interrupted spike of 2 or 3 inches ; the 

 lowest spikelet occasionally compound, with a rather long, leafy outer 

 bract. It is distinguished from O. elongata, by the shorter nearly 

 globular spikelets, without any male flowers at the base, and the fruits 

 much less flattened. 



15. C. arenaria, Linn. (fig. 1125). Sand C. Rootstock creeping often 

 to the length of many feet, emitting small tufts or single stems from a 

 few inches to 1 or 1 feet in height and leafy at the base. Spikelets 

 rather large, ovoid, all simple and sessile, crowded 8 or 10 together in 

 a terminal spike of 1 to 2 inches, or 1 or 2 lower ones occasionally 

 more distant. Outer bracts all glume-like, or the lowest with leafy 

 points. Male flowers often numerous in the upper, and especially in 

 the intermediate spikes, very few at the top of the lowest. Fruits 

 much flattened, tapering into a beak, and winged as in C. leporina, 

 from which this species differs in the creeping rootstock and in the 

 male flowers at the top, not at the base of the spikelets. 



In maritime sands, on the coasts of Europe and northern Asia. 

 Abundant all round Britain. Fl. all summer. 



0. intermedia, Gooden. (C. disticha, Huds.), appears to be an inland 

 Variety, not uncommon in marshy ground and wet meadows, in Europe 



