152 FERNS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



and Switzerland. In Holland it grows in plenty, and 

 attains great luxuriance on the numerous embankments 

 and by the sides of canals ; and the large quantity of 

 the plant brought annually to the London market has 

 led many botanists to think that its culture along our 

 sandy coasts would be of value in a commercial point of 

 view, and that at the same time it would form a firm 

 soil at the margin of the waters. Mr. Francis, who ob- 

 serves that on such places it would grow rapidly and 

 luxuriantly, and would yield a considerable profit, adds, 

 " The Dutch are well acquainted with the value of its 

 long and matted roots in restraining the wasting effects 

 of the ocean, which would soon undermine their dykes, 

 were it not for the Equisetum hyemdle which is planted 

 upon them." Either this, or some other species, was 

 also highly commended for medicinal virtues, and the 

 expressed juice put into the nostrils, and applied at the 

 same time on the neck, was said to stop the bleeding of 

 the nose. The fresh juice is also used externally as 

 a remedy for wounds. 



3. E. limosum (Water Horse-tail, or Smooth Naked 

 Horse-tail). — Stem erect, smooth, naked, or branched; 

 sheaths shut, closely pressed to the stem ; teeth numerous. 

 Many lovers of stream-sides, of the music of rippling 

 waters, and the beauty of wild flowers, have seen 

 this plant fringing the stream, and mingling with its 

 Forget-me-nots, Willow herbs, and Golden-flag flowers'. 

 It is not unfrequent, and is found occasionally in running 

 streams, but is more often to be seen in pools and 

 ditches, its stems standing up in the water or around it, 

 sometimes a yard high. The stem of the Smooth 



