112 The Irish NaUiralist. 



Mr. Barrington vSpent three weeks in exploring the upper and 

 lower lakes, and the results of his enquiry place the flora of 

 Lough Erne at about 405 species (omitting the doubtful plants 

 in his list, which are somewhat numerous), showing that the 

 district is fairly productive of plants. 



One thing that struck me on our rambles was the large 

 colonies of certain species that occur on different islands, 

 many of the islands having a characteristic plant which is 

 more or less rare elsewhere. Thus, Heron Isle was in posses- 

 sion of Rhamnus catharticus; Dacharne Island yielded a pro- 

 fuse and luxuriant growth of Solidago virgaurea; Inishdavar, 

 Arcjiaria trinervia; Namanfin, Vicia sylvatica; Strongbow, 

 Agrimofiia eiipatoria; Cleenishmeen, Eiipatoriuni cannabinu^n. 

 This would appear to show that the species in question 

 arrived at the islands subsequent to their isolation under 

 present conditions, and that the plants have spread as far as 

 the natural boundary of water would permit. 



The vegetation on the wooded islands is remarkably luxu- 

 riant, and we were frequently struck with the beauty and 

 verdure that surrounded us. As instances of luxuriant 

 growth I may mention that Campanula rotundifolia was 

 gathered on the rocks of Heron Isle 2 feet 8 inches in length, 

 though 3^et immature; Solidago grew abundantly 3 to 4 feet 

 high ; and the size of the three species of LastrecB was remar- 

 kable. Polygala becomes one of the showiest flowers on the 

 lake-shore; one plant bore upwards of 100 upright stems, a 

 foot in length, and crowned with ver}^ large deep-blue flowers ; 

 and magnificent snow-white tussacks of Galiuvi boreale were 

 abundant. The arboreal vegetation of Lough Erne is largely 

 indigenous, and is interesting on that account. Bilberry 

 Island {alias Goat Island) yielded a characteristic group of 

 native trees and shrubs, which was as follows, and which 

 embraces nearl}^ all the indigenous species: Querais, Fi^aximis^ 

 Ahius, Betula alba, Populus treniula, Corylus, Cratcegus, Ilex, 

 Euo7iy7nus, Rhamnus catharticus. Primus aucuparia and malus, 

 Viburnu7n opuhis, Salix cinerea and oAirita, Primiis spiiiosa, 

 Myrica gale, Rosa spiiiosissima, canina, and tomentosa. I see 

 no reason whatever to doubt Populus being indigenous. 

 Mr. Barrington marks it as " certainly not native." 



Of the four hundred odd species recorded by Mr. Barrington, 

 I noted just two- thirds on the islands visited by us ; some 

 additional species w^ere found, for which it ma}^ be worth giving 

 localities; as will be noticed, most of the plants were collected 

 on the islands in the central portion of the lake, but a morn- 

 ing row up the navigable portion of the pretty stream at 

 Ball^xassidy, on the eastern shore, also resulted in some 

 additions to the flora. 



