HOURS AMONG ROCKS AND CLOUDS. 369 



flying to and fro through the crevice — then mounting our Horses, and again 

 plunging and floundering amidst the stones and morasses we could now scarcely 

 descry, we started at a sharp pace for Llanidloes, the Severn wailing a shrill 

 farewell to us, and foaming down its rapids into the deep Birch-shaded valley 

 below, with a vain effort to overtake us in our flight. 



It may perhaps be thought by some readers, that my remarks are not always 

 very closely limited to the subject of Natural History, as they ought to be ; but 

 I reply, that the naturalist in his excursion is by no means obliged to abandon 

 his reflective powers, but should rather improve and enlarge them. And if, as 

 will sometimes happen to the keenest hunter of specimens — nulla viam fortuna 

 regit* — success is not quite as one could wish, the landscape puts on a dark 

 robe, and a black frown ; then, undoubtedly, if imagination weaves in her busy 

 loom a varied tissue of amusive thought, it prevents the gloom of disappointment 

 corroding the dejected mind. However, that I may not give colour to rebellious 

 wandering from the legitimate objects of The Naturalist, too far, I shall here 

 subjoin a list of the plants deserving record, that I gathered in the vicinity of 

 Llanidloes and Plinlimmon for the few days I was located there. 



Plants gathered in the vicinity of Llanidloes, Montgom. 

 August, 1837. 



Ranunculus reptans. — In one spot on the shore of the Begalyn Pool, Plin- 

 limmon. The extremely minute flowers of this plant, and its prostrate 

 filiform stems rooting at every joint, give it a very peculiar and interesting 

 aspect, whether it be really esteemed a species or not. Certainly when 

 compared with a luxuriant lowland specimen of R. flammula, the dif- 

 ference is very obvious. One of my specimens grew almost erect upon 

 the bank of the Llyn, throwing out abundant beard-like roots, which 

 however were useless, as they did not come in contact with the soil. 



Trollius Europceus. — By the side of the bog at Can Coed, above the wooden 

 bridge over the Severn, about a mile and a half from Llanidloes, towards 

 Plinlimmon. 



Corydalis claviculata. — In several hedges on the heights above the town, par- 

 ticularly near the Felindref turnpike-gate. 



Fumaria capreolata. — On the side of the Machynnleth-road. 



Viola palustris. — In a boggy field at Can Coed. 



V. tricolor ? — Some fine-flowered specimens of this occurred at the base of a 

 romantic range of Heath-clad hills, overlooking the Clwddach valley, but 

 I rather feel inclined to regard them as varieties of V. lutea. 



* Virg. Mn., xii., 405. 



