138 



BRITISH GRASSES. 



stems soon float, and the first joints repose on or in the 

 water ; then the culm arises in an erect position, at a 

 blunt angle from one of the bending joints, and proceeds 



to develope first leaves and 

 then the panicle. The an- 

 thers are of so rich an orange 

 colour that the flowering 

 spikes form no mean orna- 

 ment to the margin of the 

 pond, mingling and contrast- 

 ing with other water-weeds. 

 This is never a tall grass, 

 and yet its stems often mea- 

 sure a great length. For 

 some distance it is always 

 procumbent, and when it 

 begins to affect an ascend- 

 ing habit, it only alters its 

 position by slow degrees, and many bends of the knee- 

 like joints. 



This grass is not useful for cattle, nor are we able to 

 cite any edible or industrial uses to which it may be ap- 

 plied. 



It is common in every part of Britain. We have 

 found it floating at the edges of peat bogs on the lofty 

 moorlands, and in swamps in the low country, on inun- 

 dated ground in the Lizard district of Cornwall, and in 

 similar positions in the Western Isles of Scotland. It 

 prevails also in Lapland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, 

 Germany, France, and Italy ; but Dr. Parnell says it is 

 rare in the United States. It flowers in June, and seeds 

 in July. 



