Eleocliaris.~\ 
CVI. CYPERACE.E. 
491 
5. Blysmus Panz. Bljsmus. 
Spikelets bracteate, arranged on a zigzag racbis into a dis- 
tichous compressed spike. Glumes imbricated on all sides ; the 
lower ones gradually larger, the two lowest empty. Style per- 
sistent; its base not dilated nor jointed upon the germens. 
Ihjpogynous bristles 3 — 6, or none. Achene plano-convex oval, 
gradually tapering into the style. — Name : iSXvapog, source , or 
spring ; near which the species usually grow. 
1. B. compressus Panz. ( 'broad-leaved B.) ; lowermost bractea 
subulate somewhat leafy, bristles 3 — 6 with reflexed teeth per-, 
sistent as long as the style, leaves flat keeled rough on the 
margins and keel. Schcenus L. : E. B. t. 791. Scirpus cari- 
cinus Schrad. Carex uliginosa L. 
Boggy pastures, by river-sides and near the sea, not uncommon. 
It. 6, 7. — Stem 6 — 8 inches high, leafy. Glumes brown, striate. 
2. B. rufus Link ( narrow-leaved B ) ; bracteas all equally 
membranous, bristles none (or caducous ?), leaves very narrow 
grooved smooth. Schcenus Iiuds.: E. B. t. 1010. Scirpus Schrad. 
Marshy plains, especially near the sea ; particularly common in 
Scotland, as far as Shetland. On the coast of Wales, west of Eng- 
land, and west of Ireland. 7/.. 7.- — More slender, rigid, and upright 
than the last : spikes darker ; the glumes more membranous, thin, 
not striate, and more obtuse, in both very broad and convolute. We 
have seen no hypogynous bristles; neither did Smith; Kunth also 
found them absent, except in a single flower where there was a 
slender one with spreading teeth. 
6. Eleocharis Br. Spike-rush. 
Spikelels solitary, terminal, many-flowered. Glumes imbri- 
cated on all sides, uniform, scarcely any empty, one or two 
lowest the largest. Hypogynous bristles (1 — 12) toothed, in- 
cluded, rarely none. Style 2 — 3-fid ; its base dilated and jointed 
upon the germen. Achene crowned with the broad indurated 
corky base of the style. — Marsh plants. Stems simple , leafless, 
sheathed at the base. — Name : sXoc, iXtoc, a marsh, and x ai P u , t° 
delight in ; from the place of growth. 
1. E. palustris Br. ( creeping S.) ; stem nearly terete, rhizome 
creeping, stigmas 2, achene plano-convex crowned with the 
compressed base of the style shorter than the (usually 4) per- 
sistent bristles. Scirpus L.: E. B. t. 131. E. uniglumis 
Link. 
Sides of ditches and wet marshy places, frequent. If.. 6,7. — 
Some botanical writers make two species of this: one with the outer 
glume only half surrounding the spike at its base, the other, hence 
y 6 
