124 SKETCH OF THE FLORA OF IPSWICH. 



that similar searches had frequently been made, but always 

 without success. This leads me to believe in the correctness 

 of Dr. Buckland's theory, that the cave at Kirkdale was the 

 actual residence of the hyaenas whose bones it contained, and 

 that these animals were instrumental in bringing thither those 

 other animals, of which the bones are mingled with their own. 



On my return to Sheely's Inn the rain was so heavy that I 

 determined to stay there for the night, an example which I 

 can scarcely recommend any of my compatriots to follow, ex- 

 cept those who, like myself, are willing to seek information 

 at the expense of comfort. The landlord favoured me with 

 his company, as did his son who first explored the cave, and 

 of course the cave was the principal topic of conversation. I 

 found Sheeley a remarkably intelligent man ; he possessed a 

 knowledge of the politics of the day which quite put me to 

 the blush, for I had not read a newspaper, to the best of my 

 belief, for full six weeks previously to my visit to him. On 

 the subject of the cave I learned some interesting particulars, 

 more especially in relation to the frequent visits paid them by 

 Lord Kingsborough. He showed me a variety of spars, and 

 explained them very scientifically, expressing his regret that 

 the spar should be wantonly broken and carried away by vi- 

 sitors. Some of my countrymen, in their zeal for science, 

 had thrown large stones where the stalactites were most 

 thickly clustered, and thus produced showers of spar, a phe- 

 nomenon readily obtained, for the slender stalactites break 

 almost as readily as icicles. 



Sheeley told me that the first time Gorman entered the cave 

 with two or three companions, their candles accidentally went 

 out and left them in utter darkness. They had advanced so 

 far that their cries were inaudible above ground, and they sat 

 down, expecting nothing better than death by starvation. 

 Gorman having been missed fi*om his home, his son luckily 

 thought of the cave, and descending with a light restored his 

 father to the upper world. 



(To he continued). 



Art. III. — Sketch of the Flora of the neighbourhood of Ipswich : 

 including the Phtenogamic Plants, the Filices, and Equisetace(s. 

 By William Barnard Clarke, M.D., F.B.S.Ed. 



Ipswich, the county-town of Suffolk, is situated about 

 seventy miles from London, on the road through Romford, 



