784 



THE NAIAD FAMILY* 



from 1 to 1 J or near 2 inches long. The 

 flattened peduncle narrow-linear, and 

 said to be always without the horizontal 

 appendages of the dwarf Z. Seeds ob- 

 long, marked by longitudinal furrows. 



Common near the sandy or muddy 

 edges of the sea, in most parts of the 

 world, usually at or below low-water 

 mark, and often thrown up in great 

 quantities by the tide. Abundant round 

 the British Isles. Fl. summer, or, ac- 

 cording to some, in spring only. 



Fig. 942. 



doubtful. 



2. Dwarf Zostera. Zostera nana, Both. (Fig. 943.) 



(Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2931.) 



Closely resembles the smaller forms 

 of the common Z., of which it is believed 

 by some to be a mere variety. The 

 leaves are usually from a few inches to 

 near a foot long, very narrow, with only 

 1 or rarely 3 distinct nerves ; the flower- 

 ing sheath about half an inch long, and 

 the flattened peduncle inside has to every 

 ovary a little transverse appendage or 

 band. Seeds shorter than in the com* 

 mon Z., perfectly smooth. 



On sandy shores, usually between 

 high- and low-water marks, in various 

 parts of the world. Common in western 

 Europe, and has been found on several 

 points of the British coasts. Fl. sum- 

 mer and autumn. The seeds appear 

 certainly distinct in the two species ; 

 the constancy of the other characters is 

 I have examined only the dwarf species in a living state. 



