-THE PIPE-WORT FAMILY. 



129 



About twelve species compose this Order. They are widely- 

 dispersed, and are represented in this country by the " Reed 

 Mace" {Typha latifolid), which is also widely distributed 

 throughout Europe, North Asia, S. Africa, and N. America. 

 It was at one time abundant in the marshes around London, 

 and not many years ago the last remnant was seen in a bog 

 between Shepherd's Bush and Kensington. The locality is 

 now occupied by railways and fine mansions. 



They have no special uses. 



The Restiad Family. 



(Restiace^.) 



Plants with slender reed-like stems, often two-edged, and 

 sheathed, from which tufts of little branchlets are produced, 

 having in some cases grass-like leaves — while in others these 

 are absent, or not developed. Flowers monoecious, or dioe- 

 cious in spikes, or heads. Stamens 2 — 3, included in glumes 

 or scales, as in grasses. This is a curious family of plants in 

 habit, having an intermediate position between grasses, 

 sedges, and rushes. Above 150 species are enumerated, 

 natives chiefly of South Africa, Australia, and South America. 

 They have no special uses except in their wiry stems being 

 made into baskets. 



The Pipe-wort Family. 



(Eriocaulace^.) 



Perennial plants growing in water, having grassy, sheathing, 

 spongy leaves, and globular heads of minute flowers, pro- 

 duced on long footstalks. Two hundred species are enume- 

 rated, chiefly natives of the tropics and Australia, several of 

 North America, and represented in this country by Eriocau- 

 lon septangular a native of the lakes in the Isle of Skye 

 and Connemara. They possess no special qualities, but are 

 botanically interesting. 



