I903- Prakgkr. — The Flora of Clare Island. 291 



Wettst. and E, curta Fr. var. glabrcsccns Wettst-, also occurred ; 

 and a fifth form is doubtfully referred to E. scottica Wettst. Of the 

 above E, occidentalis has not been previously noticed in the western 

 half of Ireland, and E. gracilis and E. curta are new to Mayo. The 

 Eyebright flora of Clare Island is evidently rich, and would repay 

 study. 



[PInus sylvestrls, L.— Plentiful stumps of Scotch Fir, some of them 

 of large size, attest the presence of considerable woods on the island 

 in past times.] 



Luzula erecta, Desv.— The forms utnbellata and congresta both 

 frequent. 



Agrostis vulg-arls, L., var. pumila (L.)— Not infrequent. 



Glycerla f lultans* R.Br. — Frequently infested by the fungus Ustilago 

 longissima. Sow. 



Equisetum Iimosum, Iv., var. fluviatlle. — Frequent. 



Osmunda regalis, L.— A huge tussock of a remarkable crested form 

 was found by a stream near Ballytoohy. The stipe was often ramose ; 

 the fronds multifid at the apex, the pinnae the same ; the pinnules 

 multifid, and provided with conspicuous basal lobes, especially on 

 the posterior side, giving the pinnae almost a cruciate appearance. 

 These lobes were themselves often multifid. The subjoined sketch of 

 the lower half of a pinna shows the character (fig. 3). 



Fig. 3. — Osmunda regalis, variety. 

 Part of one pinna, \ nat. size. 



Chara fragrlUs, Desv. — The type ip two stations ; var. barbata in 

 Lough AvuUin ; forms approaching var. barbata in three stations ; the 

 pretty little var. delicatula growing on the edges of peat-holes 

 near the old Signal Tower. 



Analytical Notes. — Of some 360 species which are known 

 to grow, or probably grow, in all the forty Irish botanical 

 divisions, between 280 and 290 are present on Clare Island — 

 in other words about 80 per cent, of the Clare Island flora is 

 made up of " Universal " plants. The same comparison 

 within the flora of the whole of West Mayo would give 60 per 



