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pauperated forms, depending, no doubt, on the circumstances
of their growth. They differ from the ordinary plant in
being altogether smaller, the height ranging from two to
four or five inches, the lower part of the stems being decumbent,
and the whole stem almost devoid of branches ;
a few being developed only at their very base. In some
states, this form has much resemblance to the prostrate
E. variegatum, but is distinguishable by means of its
sheaths and fructification.
The variety, or form, called polystachion, is probably
rather accidental than constant, and is to be regarded as
the result of peculiar and changeable circumstances which
may influence its growth. The variety nudum, or alpinum,
seems clearly a depauperization of the plant, either through
elevation or lack of food, both producing the result of a
dwarf stunted growth. We have had no opportunity of
testing their constancy in cultivation, neither are we aware
of any experiments having been made on this point, but
we should expect they would both revert to the common
form under the influences of domestication.
E q u ise tum sylv a tic um , Linnoeus.— The Wood Horsetail.
(Plate XX. fig. 8.)
Perhaps this may be called the most beautiful of the
Equisetums ; certainly it is extremely elegant in almost
all stages of its growth, and perhaps never more so than
shortly after the fertile stems, with their fructification still
perfect, have begun to develope their lateral branches.
Later in the season, these branches, which have from the
first a pendent tendency, droop around with exquisite grace
on all sides. Mr. Newman, in recording his impressions on
seeing it growing luxuriantly on a wooded hill-side near
Loch Tyne, observes :— “ Each stem had attained its full
development, and every pendulous branch its full length
and elegance. Altogether I could have fancied it a magic
scene, created by the fairies for their especial use and plea-
sure, and sacred to the solemnization of their moon-lit
revels. It was a forest in miniature, and a forest of surpassing
beauty. It is impossible to give an adequate idea
of such a scene, either by language or illustration.”
But descending to sober realities.—The creeping underground
stem of this Wood Horsetail is, like that of the
others, dark-coloured and branched, and produces from
its joints the slender fibrous roots which draw up nourishment
to the plant. The above-ground stems are erect,
and, in a certain sense, those of them which produce fructification,
and those which are barren, are similar, except as
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