82 
FERNS. 
{Equisetum. 
their black tooth is often tipped with white, and surrounded with a 
diaphanous membrane, particularly the upper sheaths, which are 
larger and longer than those below. 
The plant puts on very different characters in different circumstances ; some- 
times it appears as a cylindrical pointed stem, without any branches ; this is its 
early state, for it does not throw out branches immediately, like Equisetum 
fluviatile, therefore it never appears with a densely leafy, obtuse frond as that does. 
On strong soil, and in shady situations, as when hid among growing corn, the 
branches become exceedingly long, scattered in habit, and often geniculated, in 
which state it is represented by Gerard as Equisetum segetale. The closeness 
and number of the sheaths of the fertile stem are by no means a sure diagnostic 
of any of our species ; the remarks respecting them, therefore, are more general 
than specific information. 
Sit. and IIab. — In corn-fields, sandy banks, waste ground, &c. This species 
is so common, and so difficult to eradicate, as to be a very' troublesome weed. 
Geo. — Found equally in Europe, Asia, and North America. 
4.— EQUISETUM SYLVATICUM. 
WOOD HORSE-TAIL. 
(Plate IX, fig. 4.) 
Ciia. — Stem erect. Branches compound, deflexed. Sheaths 
loose, ending in 3 or 4 blunt teeth. 
Syn. — Equisetum sylvaticum of all modem botanists. 
Fig. — E. B. 1874.— Bolt. 32, 33.— Flo. Dan. US2.-Schk.fi. 166. 
Des. — Stem erect, with about 12 grooves, from G inches to 2 feet 
high, branched, bright green. Branches compound, slender, 
smooth, drooping at the ends, and whorled, the lower part of the 
stem without branches. Catkins ovate, erect, stalked, and ter- 
minating the stem, borne early in the season, and dying away long 
before the remaining part, as is the case with all the following 
species ; it is very rarely, however, found in fruit. Sheaths deeper 
coloured than the stem. 
Sit. — In woods and shady places, chiefly in the North. 
Hab. — Ross-shire and Moray, Rev. G. Gordon. Orkney, Rev. C. (Houston. 
Frequent in the Highlands of Scotland, Mr. W. Wilson. N ear Richmond, 
Yorkshire, Mr. Ward. About Settle, Yorkshire (scarce), Mr. J. Tatham. 
Near Leeds, Mr. Denny. Forge Valley, near Scarborough, Yorkshire ; near 
the ruins of Dale Abbey, and Soutbwood, near Calke Abbey, Derbyshire, Rev. 
A. Blo.iam. Egerton, near Bolton, Mr. W. Christy. Cumberland, Cheshire, 
Lancashire, Mr. Watson. Benthal Edge, Salop, Mr. W. Leighton. Cromford 
Moor, Derbyshire, Dr. Howitt. In Bagley Wood, between Oxford and Abingdon, 
Mr. W. Barter. Hampstead Ileatb and fields towards Hendon, Middlesex, Mr. 
IF. Pamplin. Sussex, Rev. G. E. Smith. Somerset, Mr. Southby. Moist 
woods, Kelly’s Glen, Ballynascorny, Mr. O. Kelly. Abundant in the North of 
Ireland, Mr. Mackay. 
