1158 CAREX. [CLASS XXI. ORDER IIt. 
a thin pale membrane, broadly linear, as long or often longer than 
the stem, the edges and keel very sharp, and finely serrated. Spike 
terminal, large, compound, oblong, cylindrical, or interrupted, densely 
crowded, from two to three inches long. Spikelets ovate, dense, the 
upper florets barren. Scales ovate, bristle pointed, the mid-rib green, 
rough, the scales of the barren florets more lanceolate, shorter than 
the fruit. Bracteas membranous, the lower ones often terminating 
in a slender angular leafy point. Fruit ovate, acuminate, spreading 
on all sides, brown, shining, acutely angular, plano-convex, five to 
seven ribbed, the angles acute, rough, tapering into a beak, bifid at 
the point. Stigmas two. 
Habitat.—Bogegy places, the margin of pools and rivers. 
Perennial; flowering in May. 
The large tufts formed by these plants in boggy places are ex- 
tremely useful as forming clumps of mould, which gradually accumu- 
lates; the carex at length giving place to other less rigid plants 
more suited for fodder. The sharp saw-like edges of these plants re- 
quire cautious handling, otherwise every angle will cut through the 
skin, and cause wounds troublesome to heal. 
13. C. divul'sa, Gooden. (Fig. 1398.) Grey Carex. Spike com- 
pound, lax; spikelets five or six, the lower ones remote; stigmas 
two; fruit ovate, plano-convex, acuminate, without ribs, the margins 
scarcely rough, erect; scales ovate, acute, mucronate; stem slender, 
angular, rough above; root fibrous. 
English Botany, t. 629..—English Flora, vol. iv. p. 89.—Hooker, 
British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 834.—Lindley, Synopsis, p. 286. 
Root tufted, with numerous long branched fibres. Stem erect, 
slender, acutely triangular, rough on the edges above, smooth and 
leafy below, and like the leaves a bright green. Leaves narrow, 
linear, sheathed at the base, as long or longer than the stem, rough 
on the edges and keel. Spike terminal, oblong, lax, of about six 
rather loose spikelets, the lower ones remote from the upper, and 
mostly compound. Scales ovate, acute, with a bristle point, pale, 
membranous, the mid-rib green. JFuit broadly ovate, smooth, 
shining green, convex at the back, and without ribs, or obscurely 
ribbed at the base, flat or concave above, tapering into a bifid beak, 
the angles smooth, or scarcely rough, erect, or somewhat spreading 
when ripe. Bracteas ovate, membranous, the lower ones sometimes 
with a slender leafy point. Stigmas two. 
Habitat.—Moist shady places. 
Perennial ; flowering in May. 
14. C. murica'ta, Linn. (Fig. 1399.) Greater prickly Carex. Spike 
compound, oblong, dense or interrupted below ; spikelets about six, 
brownish ; stigmas two; fruit ovate, plano-convex, acuminate, spread 
