JOTTINGS OF A NATURALIST. 9 



Crow, or Saddle- back, as I have been accustomed to call it,^ fly across for 

 the first time this season. 



With reference to the Heaths which I have just mentioned, let me 

 add that I have found Erica cinerea nowhere hereabouts, but on Bexhill 

 Common, where it grows sparingly with the others. This appears to be 

 something of a metropolis for the Ht/pericacece, as I have identified no less 

 than five species in this village alone, namely H. Androscemwn, quadrangulum, 

 perforatum, humifusum, and pulchrum, and there may be more. We rejoice 

 in the possession of the Lent-Lily, (Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus,) and Sweet 

 Brier, (Rosa ruliginosa.) There seem to be several varieties of the Rose, 

 but I have never found time to study them. One sweet spring flower we 

 sadly miss, and that is Viola odorata, which is scarcely to be found, except 

 a few plants of the white variety. 



Ninjkld, near Battle, October 22nd., 1852. 



JOTTINGS OF A NATURALIST, AT KILLARNEY. 



BY CUTHBERT COLLINGWOOD, ESQ., M. A. 



The Lake country of Ireland abounds with interest, even to the mere 

 pleasure-seeker who leaves his home solely in search of novelty ; and if, with 

 this itch for travelling, he combines an admiration of the wild and unmuti- 

 lated beauties of natural scenery, his enjoyment is proportionately increased. 

 The artist here finds nature in her most varied garb, at the same time gay 

 and grand, gentle and majestic j here lake and mountain, glen and waterfall, 

 combine to afford such lavish and worthy employment for his pencil, that it 

 is to me a matter of some astonishment that this district is not more fre- 

 quented by these high-priests of nature. Or, if the traveller be versed in 

 folk-lore, Killarney is verily enchanted ground; perhaps no equal portion 

 of Great Britain is so rich in fairy legends and popular superstitions as are 

 these far-famed lakes — every islet on whose bosom, and every spot on whose 

 lovely banks, its own marvellous tale invests with an especial interest. If he is 

 fortunate enough to secure an intelligent guide, his stock of such legends, how- 

 ever large, will undoubtedly be increased; and the sturdy boatman that pulls 

 him over Lough Lene, will tell him with true Irish earnestness, that, with his 

 own eyes, he has seen the great and good O' Donaghue cross those smooth 

 waters on his silver-shod steed. 



But it is not my purpose to enter upon subjects such as these, which, 

 however interesting, would be out of place here; but conceiving that a few 

 remarks on the more striking features of the Flora, etc., of the district, might 

 possibly be interesting, the following hasty notes were written, as I glanced 

 over them simply as accessories to the full enjoyment of a visit to the lakes. 



One of the first things which strikes the observer is the luxuriant and 

 verdant clothing of the mountains. From the very edge of the lake, and 



VOL. III. c 



