234 FLORA OP TirK BRISTOL COAL-FIELD. 



is a salt-marsli plant, distiiigiiiahed by a far- 

 creeping rkizome, panicle rather close, exceeding 

 its bract, and capsule narrow, strongly mucronate, 

 about equalling the perianth. On tho other hand, 

 /. compressus is found only inland,, has a tufted 

 rhizome, a rather loose panicle falling short of its 

 bract, and differs above all in the larger, rounder, 

 and more obtuse capsule wliich distinctly exceeds 

 the perianth. 



The plant under notice has the rhizome of Qerardi, 

 and, unless hampered by other vegetation, creeps 

 straight ahead in a direct line, putting up stems 

 at regular remote intervals. It agrees with that 

 species also in the comparative length of the lower ^ 



bract. There the similarity ends; the panicle is 

 loose, with separately stalked llowors ; the periantli 

 segments fall short of the capsule, sometimes by 

 as much as one-half; tho capsule is never acumi- 

 nate, but subglobular, obtuse, and mucronate, of 

 a beautiful light-brown colour, polished and shining 

 when fresh, becoming puckered and wrinkled on 

 drying. Dr. Buchenau, the chief authority on 

 Juncus, reports on specimens sent to him : " Forma 

 intermedia ,/. compressi et /. Gerardi. Anthera>- 

 iilamentis circa 2|-plo longiores. Stilus longus. 

 Frnctus perigonio circa dimidio longiores." 



The Borrow rush, therefore, is a connecting link 

 between the two species mentioned ; and although 

 such a form is extremely rare, and perhaps may 

 now have been observed in Britain for the first 

 time, yet its occurrence decidedly supports tho 

 view of those botanists who consider those plants 



