66 
F I L I C E S 
BRITANNIC^. 
E QJJ I S E T U M fluviatile. 
Sp, PI. 1517* FIo> Ang. 44.8. Scot. 649. Cant. 385. Ray Syn. 
130. HalL Hijl. 1675. Ger. Em. 1113. Park. 1290. 
^ A B. XXXVI. XXXVII. 
RIVER HORSETAIL. 
F rom a jointed, black, fibrous, creeping root, as in the other fpecies, 
the fertile fhoots, a. make their appearance in April; they are at firft 
furrounded by large, rough, hufky, imbricated, brown vaginae; each di¬ 
vided in about twenty-four long, narrow, pointed, ruft-coloured feg- 
ments; from the uppermoft of thefe the fiower fpike is produced. 
The fhields at firft are fmooth, clofely compaded together, and of a 
brown colour. 
The fpikes, when full grown, are three inches long, and of a pro¬ 
portionable thicknefs ; the feminal valves are white, and when the fpike 
is in full blow it makes an elegant appearance. 
The fertile ftems. A, grow about a foot high, and confifl; of eight or 
nine vaginated joints, but produce no fecond leaves. 
BARREN 
