272 MR. W. A. NICHOLSON ON BOTANY OF SUTTON. 
Castalia speciosa, Salisb. 
Nymphea lutea, L. 
POTAMOGETON NATANS, L. 
Hottonia palustris, L. 
Hippuris vulgaris, L. 
Elodea canadensis, Michx. Many of the dykes are 
crowded with this. 
Myriophyllum spicatum, L. 
Scirpus fluitans, L. In dense masses in dykes. 
Glyceria fluitans, R. Br. 
G. aquatica, Sm. 
Alisma Plantago-aquatica, L. 
Typha latifolia, L. 
T. angustifolia, L. 
Equisetum palustre, L. 
and less common, 
Sagittaria sagittifolia, L. 
Sparganium simplex, Hnds. 
Acorus Calamus, L. 
Equisetum limosum, Sm. 
There are two or three plants in the preceding list which 
possess some importance from an economic point of view. 
The stems of Phragmites are used largely for purposes of 
thatching. 
Mr. Gurney has supplied the following interesting particulars 
with reference to the use of reeds for thatching purposes, etc. 
The amount cut in 1905, at Sutton was from 1000-1200 
fathoms (a fathom being 5 bunches). The reeds vary in 
quality, the longest, of which there is only a little grown at 
Sutton, being used by builders for ceiling purposes. What 
is known as “ short reed ” is the best for thatching. There is 
also “ mixed reed and gladden ” (reedmace), which, though 
forming almost as durable a roof as “ short reed,” does not 
produce as neat an effect. The reed is cut as soon as the leaf 
is off, i.e., early in January, and cutting must cease by Lady 
Day, as the young growth is then beginning to appear. 
A well-made roof will, under favourable conditions, last 
a great number of years, though in some situations, the wind, 
and bird and animal vermin are apt to play havoc with it. 
