CYPERACE^E. 257 



Fuirena. Rottb. 3. 1. 

 Glumes awned, imbricated into a spike ; petaloid, or perianth 

 3-valved, cordate, awned. 



F. squarrosa, Mx., var. pumila^ Torrey, " Mon. Cyp." p. 291. 

 Culm 3-6 inches high ; spikes or heads of flowers thick, with 

 long involucre leaves ; pond in Tewksbury, B. D. Greene, Esq. 

 A newly discovered plant, not announced till the publication of 

 the " Mon. Cyp." by Dr. Torrey. 



Psilocarya. Torrey. 3. 1. 

 A new genus, and well named. 



P. suipoides, Torrey, " Mon. Cyp." p. 359. Culm smooth 

 and leafy ; leaves 6-8 inches long, and grassy ; flowers in 

 cymes ; heads of flowers rather acute. 



A new plant, collected by Dr. Little of Boston, the locality 

 not precisely known in Massachusetts. It was found also by 

 T. A. Greene, Esq., at New Bedford. 



Scirpus. L. 3. 1. Club-rush. 



From the Celtic for rush. More than 40 species of this 

 genus are found in the United States, and more than half are 

 credited to New England. In this State are 21 species, accord- 

 ing to the Geology. A few species are united in the " Mon. 

 Cyp." of Torrey. 



The plants are rush-like, rather abundant in water or wet situa- 

 tions, commonly without leaves, and with sheathes at the base, 

 varying greatly in size and appearance, not often used for fodder 

 for cattle in this country. In Scotland, >S. cespitosus is the food 

 for cattle from March to May. Loudon. 



Glumes imbricated into a close spike ; seed or nut naked, or 

 with bristles at the base. 



£. acicularis, L., embraces also S. trichodes, Muhl., and S. 

 capillaceus, Mx., which he credited to New England, and is a 

 33 



