scale. Leaves linear, concave, smooth, terminating in a
sharp transparent point; about 3 at the base of each stem,
their lower parts membranous, sheathing, the inner ones
nearly half as long as the stem. Bracteas of two kinds, one,
leaf-like, mostly solitary, dilated and concave at the base,
placed close to the insertion of the single, or when there
are several, of the sessile head of flowers ; the other kind,
or lesser membranous bracteas, ovate-lanceolate, bristle-
pointed, one to each flower, which some of them equal in
length. Flowers generally from 5 to 10 in each head.
Perianth consisting of 3 ovate-lanceolate, concave, strongly
keeled, membranous leaves, the keel produced into a firm,
slightly reflected bristle, and of 3 inner and smaller leaves,
which are ovate-lanceolate, membranous, flat, and slender
pointed. Stamens 3 only, opposed to the outer leaves of
the perianth, and nearly half its length. Style half as long
as the capsule. Stigmas 3. Capsule shorter than the stamens,
blunt, triangular, above hard, brown and glossy,
beneath soft and speckled ; each valve externally concave
at the base. Seeds oblong, striated and pointed, minute.
The sharp bristle-pointed perianth, and short blunt capsule,
are sufficient marks by which this species may be
distinguished at first sight from any other that might, by
being accidentally deprived of proper nourishment, assume
a somewhat similar habit: but the most remarkable character,
and that upon which Sir J. E. Smith lays great stress,
is the presence of only 3 stamens in each flower. If this
circumstance be constant, we know not what the J . muta-
bilis of Cavanilles is : his figure is very like our plant, and
Dr. Gray labelled his specimens with that name. The
J . supinus described by Mr.Bicheno in Linn. Trans, vol. 12.
p. 317. is evidently the plant so named by the late Mr. Don,
which has leaves upon the stem, and soft points to the
perianth: we have therefore omitted that synonym, although
given in the English Flora, where J . supinus is referred to
J . uliginosus. Dr. Hooker in his Flora Scotica, p. 106, has
also referred to Don’s plant as J . capitatus ; we therefore
are obliged to omit the reference to his description. There
appears to be no authority for J . capitatus growing in
Scotland, nor indeed is it likely to be found so far north.
J .D .C .S .