7° ALPINE FLOWERS, Part I. 



luxuriant masses of drooping leaves, and on that account is trans- 

 ferred to moist places in gardens, and cultivated by some, though 

 generally these large specimens are difficult to remove and soon 

 perish. Scirpus lacustris (the Bulrush) is too distinct a plant 

 to be omitted, as its stems, sometimes attaining a height of 

 more than seven and even eight feet, look very imposing ; and 

 Cyperus longus is also a desirable thing, reminding^ one of the 

 aspect of the Papyrus when in flower. It is found in some of 

 the southern counties of England. Poa aquatica might also be 

 used. Cladium mariscus is also another distinct and rather 

 scarce British aquatic which is worth a place. 



If one chose to enumerate the plants that grow in British and 

 European waters, a very long list might be made, but the enu- 

 meration and recommendation of those which possess no distinct 

 character or no beauty of flower are precisely what I wish 

 to avoid, believing that it is only by a judicious selection of the 

 very best kinds that horticulture of this kind can give satisfac- 

 tion ; therefore, omitting a host of inconspicuous water-weeds, 

 I will endeavour to indicate all others really worthy. 



If you have ever seen the flowering Rush {Butomus umbel- 

 latus) in flower, you are not likely to pmit it from a collection of 

 water-plants, as it is conspicuous and distinct. It is a native of 

 the greater part of Europe and Russian Asia, and is dispersed 

 over the central and southern parts of England and Ireland. 

 Plant it not far from the margin, as it likes rich muddy soil. The 

 common Sagittdria, very frequent in England and Ireland, but 

 not in Scotland, might be associated with this ; but there is a very 

 much finer double exotic kind to be had here and there, which is 

 really a fine plant, its flowers being white, and resembling, but 

 larger than, those of the old white double Rocket. This I once saw 

 in abundance in the pleasure gardens of the Rye House at Brox- 

 bourne, where it filled a, sort of oblong basin or wide ditch, and 

 looked quite attractive when in flower. It has the peculiarity 

 of forming large egg-shaped tubers, or rather receptacles of 

 farina, and I have found that in searching for these, ducks, or 

 something of the kind, have destroyed the plants. This makes 

 me suspect that it might prove a useful plant for the feeding of 

 wild fowl, and that it might be worthy of trial in that way. No 

 native water plant that I am acquainted with has anything like 

 such a store of farina as is laid up in the tubers of this plant. 

 Calla paluitris is a beautiful bog plant, and I know nothing that 



