m a
, h
I
■ i' I'
; ■ I
E Q^U I S E T U M fluviatile.
Sp. P L 1 5 1 7 . FU. Ang. 448. Scot. 649. Cant. 385. Ray Syn.
13 0 . H a ll. H ifl, 16 7 5 , Ger. Fm . 1 1 1 3 . Park. 1290.
T A B . XXXVI. XXXVII.
R I V E R H O R S E T A I L .
Fr o m a jointed, black, fibrous, creeping root, as in the other fpecies,
the fertile ihoots, a. make their appearance in April ; they are at firft
furrounded by large, rough, hulky, imbricated, brown vaginæ ; each divided
in about twenty-four long, narrow, pointed, ruft-coloured fegments
; from the uppermoft of thefe the flower fpike is produced.
The fhields at firft are fmooth, clofely compafted together, and o f a
brown colour.
The fpikes, when full grown, are three inches long, and o f a proportionable
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 confift o f eight or
nine vaginated joints, but produce no fecond leaves.
B A R R E N
