CYPERACEvE. 



923 



unfrequent in some of the Scotch Highlands, and found also, but 

 sparingly, on Snowdon in North Wales, but not in Ireland. FL sum- 

 mer, rather early. 



24. Dwarf Carex. Carex humilis, Leyss. (Fig. 1116.) 

 (C. clandestina, Eng. Bot. t. 2124.) 



Tufts short and very dense, with nar- 

 row, radical leaves, broadly sheathing at 

 their base, and considerably longer than 

 the flower-stems. These are from 3 to 

 5 inches high, with a terminal male spike- 

 let about 9 lines long, and 3 or 4 much 

 smaller female ones, placed at intervals 

 along the stem almost from its base, 

 and, although stalked, scarcely protrud- 

 ing from the white, scarious sheaths of 

 the leafless bracts ; the glumes of both 

 the male and female spikelets are also 

 scarious on the edges. Styles long and 

 3- cleft. Fruits ovoid, obtuse, more or 

 less ribbed, and slightly downy. 



On downs and stony wastes, chiefly in 

 limestone districts, in central and south- 

 ern Europe, extending eastward far into 

 south Russian Asia, and northwards into most of the calcareous districts 

 of France and Germany. In Britain, only in Wilts, Somerset, Glouces- 

 ter, and Hereford counties. FL spring. 



25. Fingered Carex. Carex digitata, Linn. (Fig. 1117.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 615.) 



A densely tufted species, 6 inches to a foot high, with short leaves. 

 Male spike about 6 lines long, and really terminal although exceeded 

 by the upper female spike, which is placed close under it ; there are 

 also 2 or 3 other female ones rather lower down, all shortly stalked, 

 longer than the male and more or less spreading, so as to give the whole 

 spike a digitate appearance ; the flowers in each spikelet at some dis- 

 tance from each other. Bracts brown and sheathing, without leafy 



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