146 



Scirpus-Xyris extends for several hundred yards from shore, and 

 occurs in scattered stands over the surface of the pond. Wading 

 through the shallows one finds such characteristic aquatics as 

 Castalia odorata, Nymphaea advcna, Hydrocotyle umbellata, Erio- 

 caiilon articiilatum, Lobelia Dortmanna, Sabatia dodecandra, De- 

 codon verticillatus, Gratiola aiirea, Hypericum virginicnm, Lac- 

 nanthes tinctoria, Pontederia cordata, and species of Sagittaria, 

 Utricularia, and Cicuta. There is one small island with a single red 

 maple tree and a thick covering of button bush. During periods of 

 high water the island is practically submerged. The pond is a 

 favorite feeding ground for herons and migratory and indigenous 

 ducks. The tree and shrub complex along the margins of the pond 

 depends primarily upon the elevation. Characteristic associations 

 are described later in this paper. 



Larkin's Pond has much the same flora as Worden's Pond, 

 although to a lesser degree, as there is much less shallow water. 

 Depths of eight to ten feet are common. Although the old topo- 

 graphic sheet indicates a tributary, today there is no inlet or outlet. 



Of the various streams which flow through the swamp the 

 Chipuxet River is typical. Canoe travel is interesting largely because 

 of the difficulties encountered. In places the rushes, sedges, water 

 lilies, Potamogetons, and bladderwort grow so luxuriantly that the 

 canoe must be poled or carried. Tortuous bends where the over- 

 hanging shrubs are covered with poison ivy add to the difficulties. 

 At places the stream spreads out to such an extent that discovering 

 the main channel is largely guess work. An apparently open stretch 

 of water may end in a mud bank. Pickerel weed, bur-reed, Iris 

 versicolor and Iris pseudacorus are among the more conspicuous of 

 the aquatics along the margins with here and there the cardinal 

 flower prominent with its brilliant splash of color. Rather profuse 

 stands of wild rice probably account for this being a favorite breed- 

 ing and feeding ground for ducks. Occasionally the stream is almost 

 obscured where the arching swamp loosestrife grows from either 

 bank. This loosestrife seems to be a favored host for dodder. The 

 stream meanders through the Typha-Phraghnites marshes, the typ- 

 ical lowland shrub complex, the more open rush-sedge-grass wet 

 meadows, and empties into the northeast point of Worden's Pond. 



Pools of various sizes, depth, and degree of permanence are 

 found throughout the lowland area. In addition to the aquatics 



