270 NATURAL HISTORY OF SUNNINGHILL. 



is most luxuriant. The mosses which grow among the roots of the heath 

 are white, Drown, and scarlet-tipped, which last is a pretty plant, and 

 generally grows in small spaces between the heath-tufts on the slope of a 

 hill. 



We have a great variety of grasses, hut the Shaking Grass is not of 

 the number; that which thrives most, greatly to the farmers loss and 

 annoyance, is the Couch Grass, which when once it gets into the land, is 

 extremely difficult to eradicate, and in fact, only is effectually got rid of 

 by bettering the soil itself, for it requires a sand to run in, being formed 

 of hollow shoots with joints, from each of which it sprouts, and if one 

 be left, this will produce others with incredible celerity. 



When we come to the ferns, (filices,) as I have before observed, we 

 have a very numerous list. Of course the Brakes, (Pteris aquilina,) is 

 that best known because most plentiful, but then there are other kinds 

 scarcely less so, but which growing in more concealed situations, and of 

 a small size, make less show. Thus the Common Polypody, (Polypodium 

 vulgare,) is found on the banks in most of the lanes, and the Hard Fern, 

 (Blechnum boreale or spicant,) in moist ditches. The Filix-mas is also 

 very generally distributed in the cultivated parts, and even appears occasion- 

 ally in the heathy banks where there is any grass. Near Broomhall, in a 

 lane leading close by the site of the ancient monastery, I have found some 

 delicate specimens of the Filix-fcemina; the Adiantum nigrum and A.thelypteris 

 are occasionally found near Sunninghill Bog, in the banks of cottage 

 gardens. On the verge of the parish eastward, we boast of some beautiful 

 specimens of the Royal Fern, (Osmunda regalis;) and a servant in our 

 employ obtained a splendid plant from the immediate neighbourhood of 

 Cheapside, but the spot was kept a secret, and I only suspect whence 

 it came, but as there is no doubt on the point, it is sufficient to establish 

 the fact. Hart's Tongue, (Scolopendrium,) I believe we have none of, 

 although I did once find an elegant specimen in a shaft of a cellar; but 

 it is found some eight miles off in plenty. Several of the Beech Ferns grow 

 in the hedges of Sillwood Park, in the centre of the village, and some of 

 them attain a large size. We have not the Wall Rue, I believe it is 

 a native of our soil, but grows in profusion on the east wall of Windsor 

 Castle. Before I knew this plant well, I remember pouncing upon a leaf 

 or two in Dungeon Ghyll, as a prize; but familiarity breeds contempt, and 

 accordingly I now laugh at the value I then set on specimens of which 

 I afterwards got enough and to spare. Club Moss, (Lycopodium,) and 

 Horse-tail, (Equisetum,) are not uncommon, but these are only found in 

 particular localities, and I never met with Adder's Tongue or Spleen-wort, 

 nearer to us than Marlow Woods. I have always been to a certain degree 

 sceptical as to some plants of this kind which have been made distinct 



