CLASS XXI, ORDER I1.] ZOSTERA. 1147 
it is the Z. repens, Reich.; and when the fruit is elevated on 
elongated stalks, it is the Z. gibberosa and Z. pedunculata, of the 
same author. 
GENUS IV. ZOSTE'RA—Liny. Grass-wrack. 
Nat. Ord. Nar'pus. Juss. 
Gen. Car. Stamens and pistils inserted in two rows upon one side 
of a spadix. Spatha foliaceous. Stamens sessile. Anthers 
~ alternating with the ovaries. Ovury ovate. Style bifid. Fruit 
a one sided nut.--Named from @worne, a girdle or belt, or ribbon, 
which the leaves resemble. 
1. Z. marina, Linn. (Fig. 1879.) Common Sea Grass wrack. 
Leaves linear, entire, obscurely three ribbed; stem somewhat com- 
pressed ; nuts striated. 
English Botany, t. 467.—English Flora, vol. i. p. 5.—Hooker, 
British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 329.—Lindley, Synopsis, p. 251. 
Root long fibres, in numerous whorls on the creeping stems, the 
whole plant growing under water. Stems of greater or less length, 
Somewhat compressed. eaves very long, linear, flat, alternate, 
obscurely three ribbed, and sheathing at the base, the sheaths con- 
tain the linear spatha, opening longitudinally. Flowers green, 
arranged on one side of the membranous spadix, in two rows, and 
destitute of perianth. Pistils and anthers alternate, usually there are 
two anthers, then one pistil, but it is not uncommon to find them 
arranged with one anther and one pistil side by side, Anther sessile, 
cylindrical, tapering at each end, one cell attached at the back, 
bursting irregularly. Ovary ovate, attached at the back, crowned 
with a bifid spreading style. #ruit a membranous capsule, ovate, 
striated, containing a single ovate flattish seed. 
Habitat.—Creeks, the mouths of rivers, and salt water ditches; 
frequent. 
Perennial ; flowering in August and September. 
The long soft leaves of this plant form an excellent material for 
packing glass and other brittle wares, and they are used also for 
making platted coverings to flasks, bottles, &c., and itis related by 
Pallas that it is found among pottery in old tombs in the South of 
Russia. The most useful purpose, however, to which it is applied, is 
that of making mattresses; it is light and soft, and is said to be in- 
tolerant to vermin _It is sold in the shops for this purpose under the 
name of “ Alva marina,” or the Marinas Grass-wrack. 
The student whose mind is imbued with the love of contemplating 
the works of nature in all her minute forms, and finds in them the 
hand of perfection and simplicity, is no less capable of feeling the 
fat Bae 
