194 Rushes. 



where the water lingers, spreading out into delight- 

 ful tiny crescents, and where the rush contests the 

 right of place with some of its higher-born brethren, 

 and seldom fails in holding its own. If it does not, 

 like the daffodils of Wordsworth, flash upon that in- 

 ward eye which is the bliss of solitude, it is gratefully 

 remembered by many for sake of the useful service it 

 yielded in byegone da}^s. 



And the rushes and sedges have, for most part, their 

 unfailing company of flowers : the water plantain, with 

 its broad leaves, the yellow iris, and the common high 

 flag-flower, resting amid its handsome greyish-green 

 leaves, so tender that it hardly bears being touched ; and 

 water forget-me-not, and loosestrife, and brooklime, and 

 crowfoot yield their welcome variety. The flowers 

 form a goodly fellowship, and in the most unlikely 

 places they grow and cluster and shed their wealth of 

 light and beauty. 



