206 AMONG THE FYLDE FLOWERS. 



Stems, the little incomplete flowers of which, as they peep above 

 the floating leaves, remind you of the Marestail, described some 

 time ago, and the resemblance is quite orthodox for both plants, 

 and the Milfoil, too, belong to the same Natural Order {Halora- 

 giacece). 



Many other plants dwell here besides those honoured with 

 special mention, but space only permits a notice of the most 

 prominent species. 



In a sheltered nook of another favourite wood, in which all the 

 plants mentioned in the former part of this paper flourish, two 

 other plants of considerable interest may be found. The first 

 inhabits a deep pond, the margins of which are fringed at least a 

 yard wide by fine sedges, veronicas, forget-me-nots, and other 

 moisture-loving plants. It is the Greater Bladder-wort {Ulricu- 

 laria vulgaris)^ and its yellow flowers make quite a gay contrast 

 in July and August as they tower erect above the floating dark 

 leaves of the broad-leaved Pondweed {^Pota7nogeto7i iiatans)^ 

 which underlie them. The numerous bladders which are sessile 

 on the submerged leaves are now known to be cunningly devised 

 traps for small water-fleas and other creatures of similar size, but 

 formerly they were looked upon only as special contrivances for 

 floating the leaves during flowering time. The Natural Order which 

 it represents, viz., the LentibidariacecB^ is rich in carnivorous plants; 

 the Common Butterwort (yPinguicula vulgaris)^ so abundant in 

 northern bogs, being perhaps known more widely than the rest. 



The second, a plant which I wish especially to note as belonging 

 to the Fylde Flora, is the Solid-rooted Corydalis [Corydalis solidd). 

 This plant is not indigenous, but has established itself at Lytham 

 and at Wrea Green. The root is tuberous, as the specific name 

 indicates. The crowded purple flowers in terminal racemes and 

 the smooth, prettily divided leaves are very attractive, and in these 

 characteristics it is easily recognised as a relative of the common 

 Fumitory {Fimiaria qfficmalis), which throngs our Fylde cornfields 

 no less thickly than elsewhere. 



Apropos of this plant, may the incident now to be recorded 

 warn lovers of flowers to be exceedingly reticent as to the where- 

 abouts of any which have the misfortune to be reputed rare, as 

 the information may be acted upon in a manner calculated to 

 aff'ord painful themes for after-reflection. 



