Carex. | LXXXVIII. CYPERACER. | 501 
Leaves long, and often near } inch broad. Spikelets 4 to 6 inches long, 
more or less drooping, the terminal one male; females 3 or 4, at some 
distance from the male, their stalks almost concealed in the sheaths of the 
long, leafy bracts. Glumes ovate-lanceolate, brown, with a green centre. 
Styles 3-cleft. Fruits small, crowded, ovoid, with a very short beak. 
In woods and shady places, in central and southern Europe, extending 
eastward to the Caucasus and northward to the Channel, but scarcely into 
- northern Germany. In Britain, scattered over England, Ireland, and 
southern Scotland. 1, early summer. 
45, C. ampullacea, Gooden (fig. 1152). Bottle Carex.—A stout, 
tufted species, the stems scarcely angled, 1 to 3 feet high, with long leaves. 
Spikelets 1 to 2 inches long or even more; males 2 or 3, the terminal one 
longer than the others; females 2 or 3, erect, cylindrical, compact, the 
lowest shortly stalked. Leafy bracts rather long, without sheaths. Styles 
3-cleft. Fruits ovoid, inflated, pointed, with a rather long beak, spreading 
horizontally. 
In bogs and marshes, in central and northern Europe, and central and 
Russian Asia, from northern Spain and Italy to the Arctic regions, and in 
North America. Generally spread over Britain. 7. early summer. 
46, C. vesicaria, Linn. (fig. 1153), Bladder Carex.—Very near C. 
ampullacea, but the stem is more angular, the spikelets rather shorter, and 
the fruits, although inflated as in that species, are more conical, tapering 
more gradually into the beaks. 
The geographical distribution is nearly the same as that of C. ampul- 
lacea, extending from Spain to the Arctic regions, and all across Russian 
Asia into North America. In Britain, however, it is less frequent, and 
does not extend so far north. VU. spring and early summer. 
47, C. paludosa, Gooden (fig. 1154). Marsh Carex.—A stout, long- 
_leaved species, with a creeping rootstock and triangular stems, 2 to 3 feet 
high. Male spikelets 2 or 3, above an inch long, and sessile. Female 
spikelets 2 or 3, rather distant, cylindrical, often 2 inches long, sessile, or 
the lowest shortly stalked. Bracts leafy, without sheaths. Glumes more 
‘or less pointed. Styles 3-cleft. Fruits ovate, slightly 3-angled, but much 
flattened, tapering into a very short, spreading point or beak. 
In wet meadows, and marshes, throughout Europe and central and 
Russian Asia, except the extreme north, and North America. Frequent in 
England, Ireland, and southern Scotland, less so in the north. Fl. spring 
and early summer. A taller variety with longer female spikelets, on longer 
stalks, more pointed glumes, and a more distinct beak to the fruit, has been 
distinguished as a species under the name of C. riparia, Curtis. It is also 
said to have the minute point on the anthers more distinct; but all these 
characters appear to be too variable to be relied upon as specific. It grows 
with the smaller form, and is rather more frequent in Britain. 
LXXXIX. GRAMINEA, THE GRASS FAMILY. 
Herbs, with stems usually hollow, except at the nodes, and 
alternate, narrow, parallel-veined, entire leaves, sheathing the 
stem at their base, but the sheaths are usually spht open on 
