Exeter; and about Biddeford. — Dorset; In the river Stour, in two or three 
places between Blandford and Sturminster Newton. — Essex ; “ On the sides of 
some ponds on the hill near Mr. Warner's piece of water, opposite Harts, his 
house at Woodford llow ; and in the river Rhodon, near Woodford Bridge, op- 
posite the 8th mile-stone ; but in general not very common.” In a pond at Deux 
Hall, Lamburn ; and in a lane between Chigweli and Henhault Forest. — Herts ; 
Ponds near Mill-hill and Totteridge. — Lancask. In a field at Longford Bridge, 
near Warrington. — Leicestersk. Near the Abbey at Leicester, sparingly. In 
the Soar above Loughborough and Kegworth, in divers places, especially about 
Normanton ; and between Zouch Mills and Loughborough. — Middlesex ; On 
Hampstead Heath. By the Thames at Hampton, abundantly. On Hillington 
Common; Hounslow Heath ; and near Haiefield. — Norfolk; Abundantly by 
the sides of the Yare near Norwich, and other rivers in Norfolk. Sides of the 
river at Ueadham, and thence to Norwich. — Notts ; In many places on the 
banks of the Trent, from Barton to Colwick; banks of the Erewash, near East- 
wood ; and in Papplewick Forest. — Shropsh. In the Lodge Lake, Tong. — 
Somersetsh. Marches near Glastonbury; Near the late Mr. Sole’s garden, 
Bath; River-bank below Norfolk Crescen ; Old turf-pits near Wadroore; and 
plentiful in King’s Sedgemoor. — Suffolk; River-side below Halesworth ; By 
the Waveney between Beccles and Gillingham, and in other places. Ditches 
near the river at Belton, plentifully ; and in a ditch at Burgh Castle. — Surrey ; 
About Hedley ; by the Thames at Walton, and Hampton; Coulsdon ; Putney 
Heath, in ponds, possibly planted ; rivulet between Wimbledon and Richmond 
Park, abundant; and between Putney and Kingston. — Sussex ; In a pond on 
Duncton Common. — Warwicksh. In the river at the bottom of Mr. Oldek- 
siiaw’s garden at Tamworth. — Worcestersh. In the Avon, near Pershore, and 
at Hanley. — Yorksh. Potteric Car, near Doncaster; Ponds at Risby ; near 
Beverly; banks of the river near Househam, the seat of Mr. Ciiolmley ; and 
near York. — SCOTLAND. In Ayrshire — Renfrewsh. Loch Winnoch; and 
Castle Semple Loch. See Bot. Guide, and New Bot. Guide, for authorities. 
Perennial. — Flowers in June. 
Root thick, rather spongy, with many long fibres, powerfully 
aromatic. Leaves upright, sword-shaped, 2 or 3 feet high, bright 
green, near an inch broad, sheathing one another, and usually 
waved on one side ; the midrib nearest the outer margin. Scape 
similar to the leaves, except being thicker below the spadix, and 
not quite so tall. Spadix proceeding from the edge of the scape, 
2 or 3 inches long, tapering, closely studded with numerous, small, 
pale green fiowers, set in spiral lines. Petals membranous, con- 
cave, appearing truncated. Capsule oblong, triangular, of 3 cells, 
containing numerous oval seeds. 
This is said to be our only indigenous plant which is at the same time both 
aromatic and bitter. It contains a considerable quantity of essential oil, that 
imparts the delightful fragrance for which it is peculiar, to the farinaceous sub- 
stance abounding in its enlarged rhizoma (root-stock). Professor Burnett, in 
his very interesting Outlines of Botany, v. i. p. 410, informs us, that it is con- 
sumed in great quantities by perfumers and the makers of hair-powder ; and that 
in the neighbourhood of London, it has been almost wholly destroyed by their 
continual maraudings. The dried root powdered, is used by the country people 
in Norfolk, for curing the ague; and the fresh root candid is said to be employed 
at Constantinople as a preservative against epidemic diseases. The leaves have 
a sweet fragrant smell, more agreeable, though weaker, than that of the roots ; 
this has recommended them for garlands, and for strewing on the floor of the 
Cathedral at Norwich, and some of the streets, on the Mayor’s day, in June. 
