38 



THE SCOURING-RUSHES. 



swamps, on wet rocks, and on the gravelly borders of 

 streams, but, according to Eaton, seldom in sand. In 

 Europe it has been reported as occurring in sandy places 

 near the seashore. In the northern part of its range the 

 stems possibly do not survive the win- 

 ter, but farther south there is evidence 

 that a majority, if not all, are evergreen. 

 The specific name, variegatum, refers 

 to the appearance given to the stem 

 by the black sheaths. Four varieties 

 Cross Section of Stem, have been named, of which Alaskanitin, 

 found from the State of Washington northward, is tlie 

 most noteworthy. It is regarded by many as being a 

 connecting link between this species and Eqnisetitm Iiie- 

 malc. 



The Dwarf Scouring- Rush. 



After puzzling over the minute differences that are 

 often depended upon for separating the other species of 

 Equisctuiii, it is refreshing to turn to one like the dwarf 

 scouring-rush {Equisetnui scirpoides) that is so distinct 

 in form and so characteristiQ in appearance that even the 

 beginner, finding it for the first time, has no doubt as to its 

 identity. It is the smallest living species of Equisetum, 

 and for this reason is often overlooked in regions where 

 it is fairly common. 



This species, though growing only in the colder parts 

 of America, is an evergreen, and, like its relative, the 

 common scouring-rush, carries many of its fruit-buds 

 through tlie winter. Almost as soon as the snow has dis- 

 appeared, the first catkins begin discharging their spores, 

 and the plant continues to fruit through the summer. 



