4S0 33. SPARGANIUM SIMPLEX. [CL. XXI. 



.0: muscifera, Smith. Fl. Brit: 3. 937. Engl Bot. 64 

 Withering, J rraiig. 2. 43. 



Geographical Distribution. 



The northera limit of the growth of this plant is another 

 proof of the principle formerly laid down, that in the western 

 countries, plants are found at a higher latitude than in the 

 eastern, on account of the warmer temperature. Iti Sweden^ 

 O. myodes is found only in Gothland and Oeland, (57*^ Nw 

 Lat.) In Norway,, on the contrary, it is founds according to 

 Gunnerus, at Snaasen, (64° N. Lat.) ; and, according to Fl. 

 Dan., it is even found on the island Langoe,^ (69^ N. Lat.) 

 •It is diffused throughout England, France, Germany, Hun- 

 gary, Italy, and Transylvania. Its southern hmit seems to 

 be Peloponnesus, (38^.) The four varieties mentioned by 

 Desfontaine (Fl. Atl. 2. 320.)^ under the name Ophyrs insec- 

 tifera, do not belong to this. I have also a doubt, whether 

 O. myodes of Hagen (Pruss. Flor. ^15.), be really our 

 plant. Its eastern limit northward would then be 20^ W.. 

 Long,, southward 25^. 



CLASS XXL 

 33. 



Sparganium simplex, Huds. 



Hinfache Igelsknospe. — French, Ruhanier simple. — Engl; 

 Simple Bur-reed. — Swed. Rak-trdgjan. 



This pecuhar plant flowers in July and August, in our 

 standing waters and ditches, especially where the bottom is 

 gravelly. From a creeping, perennial, fibrous root, arises 

 about perhaps a foot or a foot and a half high, a rounds 

 green, smooth stem, which is wholly undivided, and about the 

 Sickness of a quill. All the leaves embrace half the stem with 



