small and slender plant on the borders of ponds, in dense cespi-
tose patches and tufts ; a delicate plant.
/S. capillaris, L. and Muhl. Found near Boston ; a small,
densely cespitose plant, in sandy fields ; occurs also in other
parts of the State.
S. subsquarrosus. Muhl. Grows in tufts about 2 inches high,
capillary, with fine bristly leaves, on sandy banks of rivers ;
Deerfield.
S. intermedins. Muhl. About 2 inches high, cespitose and
diffuse, strong ; projects from running water.
S. planifolius. Muhl. Rises 4 or 5 inches high, and has
wide grassy leaves, rough on their edges, and long as the plant; is
spread over the State on cold and hard soils, and in open woods
or fields ; very different in appearance from the rest of the genus,
as all remark who notice the plant; common, but not very abundant.
S. capitatus. Muhl. Grows in muddy bottoms of pools and
sluggish streams, in clusters, sometimes forming small clumps.
It is S. obtusus, Willd., and distinguished by its obtuse, sub-
globose heads of flowers. It is not S. capitatus, L ., which
grows in the Southern States. Torrey.
S. tenuis, Willd., and S. quadrangulatus, Muhl. Catalogue.
A slender rush-grass, growing in wet places, and shallow waters,
leafless, with a slender head of flowers ; 4 - 8 inches high ; begins
to flower early in spring ; Boston, Salem, Amherst, Berkshire
County, and probably throughout the State.
S. autumnalis. Muhl. Found in situations like the last ;
Amherst, Boston ; July to October. Culm 8 - 12 inches high,
cespitose. This is Fimbristylis, Yahl., from the form of the
5. tuberculosus. Mx. A stiff plant without leaves, of a light-
green color; Salem and Tewksbury, in sandy swamps near the
ocean.
S. triqueter, L. and Mx. Has an acutely 3-sided culm, concave
on two sides, slender, 2 - 4 feet high ; a short leaf or two at
the base ; grows out of water, in ponds and marshes, fresh and
sa lt; widely diffused ; pond on Taconic Mount, Berkshire County,
Amherst, Boston. $. Americanus. Pers.
S. maritimus. L. Grows near the sea, or in brackish marshes,
1 — 3 feet high, with long and broad leaves, acute and rough on
the edge.
The last two are peculiar in their sharp 3-sided culm. The
last is eaten by cattle, and the dried roots have been used for
bread. Loudon.
<S. subterminalis. Torrey. From 1 to 3 feet high, its flowers
projecting near its top from the water, small and slender, with
long leaves, channeled at their base ; widely spread over the
State, but first found by Dr. Cooley of Deerfield, and sent to
Dr. Torrey.
S. atrovirens, Muhl., and <S. brunneus, Muhl., are two large,
stiff plants, with long leaves, growing in swamps and wet fields,
and bearing a large cluster of flower-heads, much alike, and yet
to be distinguished.
S. eriophorum. Mx. Red Cotton-Grass. Named Tricho-
phorum cyperinum, by Persoon, on account of the hairs in its
flowers, and its resemblance to Cyperus ; a stiff, erect, rank
grass, 2 - 5 feet high, smooth and roundish, or obtusely triangular,
with long, narrow leaves, and bearing a large mass of flowers,
umbel-like, nodding, and underpropped by several long and stiff
leaves ; common in swamps and pools, and in rich muddy bottoms
and banks ; cattle do not eat it.
S. lineatus. Mx. A smaller plant than the preceding, with