182 Hints fo7' Improvemenis. 



the inarch of improvement, especially in the neighbourhood of London, has 

 so completely altered the face of the earth, that our worthy predecessors, 

 the ancient herbalists, were they permitted to revisit once more their 

 favourite spots, could not now recognise the scenes of their former plea- 

 sures and disappointments. Norwood and Sydenham, the famous resorts 

 of botanists, gypsies, invalids, and hunters of the picturesque, in former 

 years, can now barely supply a bit of green sward, by the margin of the 

 dusty highway, to pitch the camp upon. The once delightful and extensive 

 view over parts of nine counties is now generally bounded by the straggling 

 fence skirting the way, or the more impervious brick wall of the retired 

 Londoner, who has acquired a right to property once the property of the 

 public. Shooter's Hill is covered with enclosures small and great ; and 

 actions at law for trespass threaten the rambler with a bill of pains and 

 penalties stuck up in many a corner. Bromley and Finchley Commons 

 exist only in name. Yearly encroachments are made on the heaths of 

 Hounslow, Bexley, and Hayes. The lovers of fresh air and heather bells 

 have not been without their fears that even Hampstead heath will not long 

 rejoice in its natural asperity, strikingly contrasted with the gaudy holiday- 

 making folks that come in crowds from the great metropolis. Among 

 those places still accessible to the peripatetic,Shirley Common seems to have 

 been a great favourite with the botanists of the last century, and doubtless 

 was fertile m rather rare alpines of the families of Carex, Eriophorum, Ly- 

 copodium, iSchce^'nus, &c. Although I have found little about Shirley for 

 which I was anxious, I do not say that it is not worth visiting ; but I would 

 advise the visitor not to have too high expectations of its productiveness. 

 Draining, enclosing, planting, and digging have each, in turn, contributed to 

 the diminution of nature's gifts. Duppa's Hill, about half a mile beyond 

 Croydon on the road to Epsom, seems formerly to have been more famous 

 for the number and rarity of its produce than it is at the present day. It 

 is now as unfavourable for botanical pursuits as the South Downs, near 

 Brighton. High Beech, or rather a bog near it, in Epping Forest, has, I 

 suspect, lost much of the celebrity it acquired during the times of Warner 

 and E. Forster, jun. I wish some indefatigable botanist would ascertain if 

 the latter gentleman's habitat (viz. High Beech) for the rare plant Campa- 

 nula /^ederacea be correct ; also if Aspidium Oreopteris is still to be found 

 on Shirley Common. 



With great expectations I visited Streatham Wells, hoping and wishing 

 to find the place in its natural state, full of pits, springs, and gullies. Such 

 has not beea the condition of these mineral waters for many years ; and 

 whosoever goes to Streatham to gather plants marked in the Guide will 

 x;ertainly be disappointed- We have often to regret a want of preciseness 

 in describing the habitats, and the giving of designations to places not known 

 .by the people who reside about the place. I once went out in search of 

 Chisselhurst Bog, and was, after much fruitless enquiry, directed to a boggy 

 place enough, near St. Mary's Cray, two or three miles from Chisselhurst. 

 I subsequently ascertained that there is no such place ; I have also found 

 that the common people know the name of the occupier better than the 

 name of his place. If I were to ask for Captain Cross's, every person in 

 the vicinity could direct me to his farm ; but if I asked for Hayesford, per- 

 haps I should be directed to Hayes, a mile or two farther distant. 



In conclusion, I beg to request every active botanist in the kingdom to 

 arrange a list of aJl plants growing in his particular district, except those 

 that are common to every place and situation ; and to describe accurately 

 the particular habitations in which they are to be found, and whether 

 abundant or scarce in that place. Such a list would be a rare treat to the 

 botanist, it would increase the numbers attached to this elegant study and 

 healthful amusement, and would increase the facilities of improvement in 

 th^ science. — A, J. Kent, Nov, 20. 1830. 



