Typha.] typhace.e. 629 



Indies. As an object of cultivation, A. italicum, from its larger size, and there- 

 fore greater yield, would doubtless be preferable to our native species. 



There is a popular superstition current in Norih Wales that this plant grew at 

 the foot of onr Saviour's cross, in consequence of which the leaves became spoiled. 

 I am indebled to my talented and accomplished friend, Mrs. Owen, for pointing- 

 out 10 me a lieautiful allusion to this singular legend in a poem by her sisler, the 

 late lamented JMrs. Hemans. 



"Yes, these deep inwrought marlis. 

 The villiiger will tell thee (and with voice 

 Lower'd in his true heart's reverend earnestness). 

 Are the flower's portion from th' atoning blood 

 On Calvary shed. Beneath the cross it grew; 

 And in the vase-like hollow of the leaf, 

 Catching from that dread shower of agony 

 A few mysterious drops, transmitted thus 

 Unlo the groves and hills, their sealing slains, 

 A heritage for storm or vernal shower 

 Never to blow away." 



Order LXXXIII. TYPHACEiE, Juss. 



" Flowers moncecious, numerous and very closely arranged upon 

 a cylindrical or spherical spadix without a spatha. Perianth of 3 

 or more mere scales, or wanting and replaced hy hairs. — Barren 

 flowers : — Stamens 1 — 6. Filaments capillary, distinct or united. 

 Anthers erect. — Fertile flowers : — Ovule solitary, superior, 1-celled, 

 containing 1 solitary pendulous ovule. Style short. Stigma sim- 

 ple, unilateral. Fruit somewhat dry or spongy, drupaceous inde- 

 hiscent, 1-celled, at length angular by mutual pressure. Seed 

 solitary, pendulous, with a membranous skin adhering to the 

 pericarp. Embryo in the axis of mealy albumen, straight, with a 

 cleft on one side containing the plumule. Radicle next the hilum. 

 — Herbaceous plants, growing in marshes or ditches. Stems with- 

 out nodes. Leaves rigid, ensiform, with parallel veins." — Br. Fl. 



I. Typha, Linn. Eeed-mace. 



" Spadix cylindrical. Perianth 0, except hairs. — Barren 

 flowers : — Stamens 1, or 2 — 6 and monadelphous, surrounded at 

 the base with 3 or more hairs (sterile filaments ?) : anthers some- 

 what wedge-shaped. — Fertile flowers : — Pericarp stalked, the stalk 

 with hairs, either whorled or at its base (sterile filaments ?)." — 

 Br. Fl. 



1. T. latifolia, L. Great Reed-mace or Cat's-tail. Vect. Black- 

 puddings. Blackamoors. Blackheads. Bacco-bolts. * " Leaves 

 linear nearly plane glaucous, sterile and fertile spikes continuous, 

 both cylindrical."— 5r. Fl. p. 460. E. B. t. 1455. 



* From a resemblance in the spikes to a roll of tobacco. Sometimes, but erro- 

 neously, called Bull-rush. 



3 Y 



