THE RUSHES, GRASSES, AND FERNS. 263 



petuated. The Toad Rush is distinguished as belong- 

 ing to this class, and its varieties may generally be 

 found in different habitats in the month of August. 

 In May the meadows are nearly carpeted by an 

 allied form, the Field Woodrush (Luzula campestris), 

 a really pretty plant, if you will only take the 

 trouble to look at it closely. Its flowers are quite 

 as regular as those with showy corollas, and their 

 dark umber is beautifully relieved by the light 

 yellow of the comparatively large anthers of the 

 stamens. In the north of England 

 and midland counties, this species 

 goes by the name of " sweeps," in 

 allusion to its dark-coloured flowers. 

 A further examination of any 

 marshy ground will also reveal the 

 presence of two other common 



Species Of rush, JunCUS effllSUS, and Tond Rush Seedlings 



J. acutiflorus. The former will be 

 distinguished by its soft stems, which cause it to 

 go by the popular name of the Soft Kush the latter 

 by its flowers, which are very sharp ; the stem also 

 is jointed. 



The margins of the banks of streams or of tarns 

 are the places which sedges most love. Here you 

 may find the Eemote Carex (Car ex remota), in June, 

 especially where the trees overhang the moist places. 

 The Fox Carex (C. vulpina), is another abundant 

 species. It is sometimes called the Great Sedge, 

 for it not unfrequently grows to the height of 



