Richmond and Thirsk^ in Yorkshire. 2? 



none of which occur at Leckby ; while, on the other hand, 

 Scheuchzer/« palustris (the only British habitat), Comarum 

 palustre, Drosera anglica and rotundifolia, Rhynchospora 

 alba, Z^ysimachia thyrsiflora, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, unknown 

 to us, occur there. Mosses and ferns abound on limestone, 

 but you might in vain look for them in the neighbourhood of 

 Thirsk on the red marl ; nor would you meet with the com- 

 mon *Saxifragae, Trollius, Aquilegia, Orchideae (except O. ma- 

 culata), Pyrolae, Solidago, Ribes, or Asperula, which, in the 

 neighbourhood of Richmond, appear in profusion. The fox- 

 glove grows plentifully upon the high grounds, particularly in 

 the light vegetable mould in the fir woods. It never thrives 

 well when transplanted into a garden. It clothes the summit 

 of Hood Hill, of which we have made previous mention, 

 along with Rhinanthus major and *Senecio viscosus, two plants 

 unknown to the flora of Richmond. The Anemhne nemorosa 

 grows with us plentifully, and adds much to the vernal 

 beauty of the woods with its snowy blossoms ; it is fond of 

 dry strong ground, and its long roots entwine among those of 

 the trees and shrubs near which it grows. /)aphne Laureola 

 also occurs plentifully, and sometimes, though rarely, the 

 Mezereum. ^lisma Plantago is not found here, though com- 

 mon at Thirsk ; while, on the other hand, the cowslip and 

 oxlip are comparatively of rare occurrence there. 1 have 

 generally remarked that in the limestone districts the woods 

 and mountain pastures produce the rarest plants ; while on the 

 level plains of red marl which skirt the Hambletons, in the 

 corn fields and borders of cultivated fields, the most uncom- 

 mon are met with. 



The geography of plants is of such interest to the botanist, 

 that he ought to let slip no opportunity of promoting our 

 knowledge of this branch of science. There can hardly, in 

 my opinion, a doubt exist that the geological structure of the 

 district exercises great influence over the vegetable produc- 

 tions : or, if it be not so, why do we find the plants so remark- 

 ably dissimilar in the different formations ? My experience 

 has ever tended to confirm me in my belief. For instance, 

 the same plants in great measure occur with us and upon the 

 range of the Hambletons, though thirty miles distant, and 

 though the intervening country is quite of a different charac- 

 ter, and as dissimilar in its geology as in the plants which it 

 produces. It may be said that moisture, dryness, and height 

 above the level of the sea, might produce this difference ; but 

 how is it, then, that we find at the same altitude, on different 

 habitats, that the botany is different? Much, no doubt, 

 remains to be discovered on the subject ; and many facts, in all 

 probability, require correction ; yet, by accurate observation, 



