BIG SPRING PRAIRIE. 49 



materially decreased. The Proserpinaca, which still 

 maintained its foothold in the lowest depressions, ex- 

 hibited its characteristic tendency of producing simply 

 toothed leaves instead of the dissected ones which the 

 plant produces, when submerged. As the above species 

 decreased in number, various species of Carex, Scirpus, 

 and Agrimonia parvifiora supplanted them. 



The characteristic grasses, sedges and rushes of 

 this natural meadow were Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky 

 Blue-grass); Agrostis alba h. (Red top, Herd's-grass); 

 chiefly in the southern and southeastern portion of field 

 near the ditch; Muhlenbergia racemosa (Mx) B. S. P. 

 (Marsh Muhlenbergia); Scirpus atrovirense Muhl. (Dark 

 green Bulrush); Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth. (Wool- 

 grass); and Juncus effusus L. (Bog-rush). 



The following were also common: Spartina cynos- 

 uroides (L.) Willd. (Tall Marsh-grass); Carex lupulina 

 Muhl, (Hop Sedge); Carex Frankii Kunth. (Franks 

 Sedge); Carex comosa Boot. (Bristly Sedge); Carex vul- 

 pinoidea Mx. (Fox Sedge); Eleocharis (species?) Cy- 

 perus flavescens L- (Yellow Cyperus); Cyperus eryth- 

 rorhizos Muhl. (Red-root Cyperus); Panicum crus-galli 

 L. (Witch-grass); Homalocenchrus oryzoides (L.) Pool. 

 (Rice Cut-grass); and Ixophorus glaucus (L.) Nash. 

 (Yellow P'oxtail). The Poa and Agrostis occur in the 

 best drained portions, while the marsh species flourish 

 in the minor depressions. 



The most characteristic herbaceous plants were 

 Eupatorium perfoliatum L. (Boneset); Solidago cana- 

 densis L. (Canada Golden-rod); Lycopus americanus 

 Muhl. (Cut-leaf Water Hoar-hound); Verbena hastata L. 

 (Blue Vervain); Asclepias incarnata L. (Swamp Milk- 

 weed); and Agrimonia parviflora Soland. (Small-flow- 

 ered Agrimony. 



Other quite common plants were Potentilla mon- 

 speliensis L. (Bushy Cinquefoil); Mimulus ringens h. 

 (Sessile-leaf Monkey-flower); Penthorum sedoides ly. 



