S90 
CRYPTOGAMIA EQUISETACEuE. 
Class XXIV- 
Order 2. 
EQUISETACE.E, 
Reproductive organs miform, in terminal spikes, composed of peltate, several-sided scales, producing on their 
under surface 'i-l -elongated involucres containing the seeds. Branches whoHed, rigid. 
This order contains one genus only, which is among the most puzzling of all the anomalous formations which 
are so frequently met with among the lower orders of vegetation. Both the stems and branches are regularly 
articulated, and arise from a tubular sheath. There are no leaves, and the reproductive organs are arranged in 
a terminal spike (6), on all sides of which are inserted many peltate scales (o) with several sides or angles. Several 
wedge-shaped hollow bodies project from the surface of these scales, and bursting inwardly, discharge their 
contents, which are not yet well understood. They consist of a number of green roundish bodies, surrounded 
by minute granules, and furnished at the base with four elastic filaments (c), thickened at their apex. By some 
observers the granules have been considered pollen, the filaments stamens, and the green bodies ovaries ; by 
others the granules have been called naked seeds ; by Kaulfuss the wedge-shaped hollow bodies are considered 
capsules, and the green bodies, seeds. It is probable that none of these theories are true. 
2209. Equisetum. Character the same as of the order. 
2211. EQUISE'TUM. L. Horse-tail. 
14625 arvense W. corn ^ A w 
Sp. 7—18. 
I mr.ap Br 
14626 fluviatile W. 
14627 svlvaticum W. 
14628 Ihnosum IV. 
14629 palustre W. 
14630 variegatum W. 
14631 hyemale W. 
great-water ^ w 6 ap.my Br 
wood A w 
smooth naked ^ A w 
marsh A w 
variegated A or 
Dutch Rush ^ A ec 
1 ap.my Br 
2 jn.jl Br 
lijn.jl - Br 
I jn.jl Br 
1| jl.au Br 
Britain moi.fi. D p.l Eng. hot. 2020 
Britain wat.pl. D p.l Eng bot. 2022 
Britain m.s.pl. D p.l Eng. bot. 1874 
Britain wat.pl, D p.l Eng. bot. 929 
Britain bog.pl. D p.l Eng. bot. 2021 
Scotland sc.sh. D p.l Eng. bot. 1987 
Britain moi.w. D p.l Eng. bot. 915 
History, Use, Propagation, Culture, 
2211. Equisetum. Literally, horse-hair, from equus, a horse, and seta, hair; so called, in allusion to the 
fine branches of all the species. The first five species are noxious weeds on deep loamy soil, especially such as 
has been gained from rivers or lakes. E. fluviatile rises three or four feet high, the thickness of a finger, with 
numerous branchlets or leaves proceeding from the whorls ; according to Haller, this species was eaten by the 
common people among the Romans. Linnjeus affirms, that rein-deer, who refuse hay, will, however, eat this : 
