THE SCOURING-RUSHES. 27 



In favourable situations the stems of this species often 

 reach a height of ten feet, and a diameter of half an inch 

 or more at base, forming thickets similar to those of the 

 common scouring-rush. In the warmer parts of its 

 range the new shoots begin to make their appearance 

 in March or earlier, and by the first week in April the 

 fruiting cones may be obtained, though the stems have 

 scarcely reached their maximum height at that period. 

 During the first year the stems seldom branch, but early 

 the next spring a large number of them put forth long 

 wand-like branches from the upper joints. All authori- 

 ties agree that this form rarely branches, but this is 

 clearly a mistake. It produces branches much more 

 freely than does Equisetum Jiieinale. In addition to the 

 principal stems this species not infrequently produces 

 several slender stems from each rootstock. 



The sheaths are rather longer than those of Equisetum 

 hiemale, and are pinkish ash-colour with rather narrow 

 marginal and basal dark bands, the latter at first promi- 

 nent and lighter in colour. The teeth are dark brown 

 with tawny margins, elongated triangular in shape, with 

 long tapering points, and usually remain in position 

 until the stems are full grown or even longer. Those 

 upon the branches do not fall off during the life of the 

 stems. 



The fruiting cones are from half an inch to an 

 inch long and terminate in a sharp point as in the 

 other species of this group. The fertile stems produce a 

 single spike at the apex of the stem the first year, and 

 the following season one or more smaller cones may de- 

 velop on the ends of small branches, the terminal cone, of 

 course, being absent. Like the common scouring-rush, 

 the stem of this species is hollow for the greater part of 



