264 HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



three feet. All the sedges may readily be identified 

 by their angular stems, and more particularly by 

 the separate arrangement of the male and female 

 organs on the same plant. The latter are usually 

 arranged in prickly bunches, lower down; whilst 

 the former sometimes droop in graceful panicles. 

 The Yellow Carex (G. flavd), is also a generally 

 abundant species, as is indicated by its numerous 

 varieties. Its leaves are very grass-like, but its 

 flower-spike is very graceful, having bunches of 

 female flowers where the leaves strike off the stem, 

 the stem being terminated by a slender tuft of 

 yellowish-brown male flowers. The student is al- 

 most certain to meet with one variety or another of 

 this sedge in any moist place where sedges are likely 

 to grow. The Pink-leaved Sedge (C. panicea), a 

 common species, has an erect stem, slightly curved 

 when in fruit, which are usually tinged with purple, 

 hence the common name. It is a perennial plant, 

 and may be found in most marshy places in the early 

 summer months. The Hammer Sedge (G. hirta) is a 

 very beautiful form, its long grass-like leaves spread- 

 ing out gracefully, and its spike of pretty male and 

 female flowers rising from their midst, the contrast 

 in their light and dark colours adding considerably 

 to the attractive appearance of the plant. It is a 

 common species, possessing several well-marked 

 varieties, all of which are to be found in our marshes 

 and meadows. In those which are swampier and 

 moister than usual, the young botanist is certain to 



