60 
EQUiSETACEyE 
it is remarkable that it was observed there as long since as the 
time of Lobel, who records the habitat in his ‘ Illustrationes Stir- 
pium/* published in 1655, disguising the English appellation 
of ^ Highgate,’ under the scientific term of ^ Alice Fortce? The 
other English habitats with which I have been furnished through 
the kindness of correspondents, are so numerous that a mere list 
of them would exceed the space 1 can afford for localities. In 
Wales it occurs in many localities, particularly at Hafod, and 
near the Devil’s bridge, in deep shaded ravines, occasionally 
straggling into open and exposed places, but then partially di- 
vested of its characteristic elegance. In Scotland, I observed it 
growing with peculiar luxuriance in the vicinity of Loch Fyne, 
in a little fir-wood on a hill side. The fructification had entirely 
disappeared, and each stem had attained its full development, 
and every pendulous branch its full length and elegance. Al- 
together I could have fancied it a magic scene, created by the 
fairies for their especial use and pleasure, and sacred to the 
solemnization of their moon-lit revels. It was a forest in minia- 
ture, and a forest of surpassing beauty. It is impossible to give 
any adequate idea of such a scene, either by language or illus- 
tration. In Ireland I observed it in the counties Wicklow, An- 
trim, Londonderry and Donegal ; and Mr. Mackay appears to 
consider it of common occurrence in moist woods and hedge- 
banks, particularly in mountainous situations : Dr. Balfour has 
kindly supplied me with specimens of a peculiarly dwarf growth 
and rigid habit, which he found near Oughterard, in Cunnemara. 
The figures of this plant are for the most part characteristic, 
although some of the older ones might have been more satisfac- 
tory. It is so distinct in its appearance and characters that one 
can hardly fail of recognizing it if drawn with even a moderate 
degree of accuracy. For the same reason all authors appear to 
agree in its name, and we thus escape the trouble of investigat- 
ing a confused synonymy. 
The roots of the Wood Equisetum are fewer in number and 
somewhat smaller than those of the species already described : 
they are brown, tortuous, occasionally branched, and generally 
Ulus. Stirp. 149. 
