Caricogruphy. Si 
‘Fhis plant has a slight resemblance to one variety of C. 
crinita, for which it is sometimes mistaken. They differ 
sowever in their spikes, and especially in their pistiilate 
seales; and, though the scale of C. miltacea is sometimes so 
slightly emarginate as to require nice examination, they are 
easily distinguished. 
48. C. umbellata. Schk. 
Muh., Pursh, Eaton, Pers. no. 172. Schw. 
Schk. tab. Www fig. 171. 
Spicis distinctis; spica staminifera brevis, solitaria longa 
pedunculata; spicis fructiferis tristigmaticis subquaternis, 
una spe subsessili et staminifere approximata, cxteris sub- 
radicalibus exserte-pedunculatis, omnibus ovatis subumbel- 
latis ; fructibus ovatis utrinque acutis rostratis breve-bidenta- 
tis pubescentibus, squamam ovato-lanceolatam equantibus. 
Culm half an inch to four inches long, leafy; leaves sub- 
radical, linear, rough on the edge, rather stiff, 6-12 inches 
long, purple at the base, inclosing the peduncles of the lower 
spikes; staminate spike single. long-pedunculate, short, 
round; staminate scale oblong, rather acute, tawney ; pistil- 
late spikes 3—5, often one near the staminate, subsessile and 
bracteate, the others exsertly pedunculate, erect, subradieal, 
with five to fifteen fruit standing in asubumbellate form; fruit 
ovate, attenuated at the base, rostrate, nerved, pubescent, and 
slightly bidentate; pistillate scale ovate-lanceolate, green on 
the keel, about equalling the fruit. Whole plant is pale 
green. 
Flowers in May——-grows in small tufts on dry hills ina 
light soil. I have found it only in this town. Phillipston, 
N. Y.—-Dr. Barratt. 
This is a finely characterized species. The pistillate 
spike near the staminate is not mentioned distinetly by any 
author, and though it is very common, is not universally 
found on the specimens growing here. Schk. has figured 
two forms of the fruit, but has not given the upper and ses- 
sile pistillate spike ; yet as both varieties are found growing 
together, there can be no doubt of their identity. 
49. C. laxiflora. Lam. 
Muh., Pursh, Eaton, Pers. no. 152 and Ell. no. . 
’ 40. and Rees’ Cyc. no. 136. Schw. 
_ Schk. tab. Kkk fig. 141. 
©. grisea. Wahl. no. 35, and Rees’ Cyc. no. 150. 
C. paupercula. Mx. 
