202 A r.()T.\NirAT> VvA^Mr.I.K. 



might reasonably be supposed that the flora would be neither very plentiful 

 nor varied; but it is not so; for^ notwithstanding the exposed situation, winter 

 is here almost unknown, save by name, and occasional gales of wind from 

 the north and north-west, which set the sand in motion, and blow it far 

 inland. These extensive sands tend to keep the atmosphere peculiarly dry, 

 for the rain is rapidly absorbed, however great the quantity that may fall. 



Near Southport is a rural place named, and very judiciously, Birkdale, and 

 it is to this latter place we will take a stroll. We need not be long before 

 we commence operations; for scarcely shall we leave the road and enter the 

 fields which skirt it, before there are flowers in abundance. We will saunter 

 along a bank, or ^'cop," as it is technically called here. Here is a brilliant 

 patch of the Erodmm cicutarium, (Hemlock Stork's-bill,) with its beautiful 

 delicate pink flowers; then, almost side by side, and bearing a close resemblance, 

 except in the leaves, is the Geranium Boheiiianwn, (Herb Robert;) and the 

 Geranium molle, (Dove's-foot Crane's-bill;) the long beak -like seed vessels of 

 these plants present a most singular appearance, and they have not been 

 inaptly named. We cannot, like the midland and southern counties, boast 

 of the Viola odorata; but the eye will ever and anon rest on bunches of the 

 Viola canina and Viola tricolor, contrasting delightfully with the brilliant 

 B;arlet flowers of the Anagallis arvensis; the yellow flowers of the Galiura 

 vo'um; the lilac of the Cardamine pralensis; the pink of Ononis arvensis; and 

 the no less beautiful, though minute, Polygala vuhjaris; all of which may 

 be found, closely congregated, on almost any bank in this vicinity. The 

 Arundo arenaria, so useful on sandy coasts, is just putting forth its head 

 from the tender sheath surrounding it; and other grasses in abundance are 

 quaking and bending to the summer breeze. 



In the pools of water the Ilottonia palustris and Erioplwrum vaginatum 

 are now plentiful; and certainly the former is deserving of a better locality than 

 that where it seems indigenous. In the boggy districts the stems and leaves 

 of the Menyanllics hifoliata are plentiful enough, although as yet there are 

 no signs of its beautifully-fringed blossoms. The margins of the ditches, and 

 the marshy ground generally, are covered with the flaunting yellow flowers 

 of the Iris pseudacorus and Caltha palustris, intermixed with the less assuming 

 hues of Myosotis paludris, Ranunculus aquatilis, and Veronica anagallis and 

 heccaltcnga. Yet a few weeks and some of these will be succeeded by the 

 beautiful purple flowers of the Lythrum salicaria, the leaves of which are 

 now fast making their debut from their watery bed. We cannot, as may 

 be easily imagined, boast of many of the Orchis tribe — only Orchis morio and 

 0. maculata being at all plentiful. That beautiful flower the Parnassia paliistris 

 will shortly be seen in thovisands on the low marshy grounds near the shore; 

 and at the present time portions of the shore itself are carpetted with the 

 Statice armeria and Glaux mariiima. In some of the meadows Botrychium 

 lunaria and Ophioglossiwi vulgatum are plentiful; as also that little gem Euphrasia 

 officinalis. 



