132 The Irish Nahiralist, [June, 



The (jreat Spearwort {Ramincnlus Lhigua) and the Great 

 Water-Dock {Rnviex Hydrolapathtini), we got on the banks of 

 the Bo3'ne on a Field Club excursion to Bectiv^e, and from the 

 same place came the Sweet Flag {Acorns Caiavins). All are 

 growing well, and the latter flowered last year. 



The little ^^'ater-Crowfoot, Ranuncuhis frichophylhis, came 

 from Clondalkin ; it flowers year by 5'ear, and now the rare 

 Potaviogcton dcnsus has appeared, probably introduced along 

 with plants from the Royal Canal. 



The feature of our pond is, however, Hottonia palustris, the 

 Water- Violet, introduced three years ago from Downpatrick, 

 and which in the early summer is a sheet of pale pink 

 blossoms. Although one might think this a delicate plant, it 

 has survived several catastrophes, including severe drought, 

 which left not even mud at the bottom [of the pond, and a 

 well-meaning but mistaken attempt to exterminate it on the 

 part of an over-enthusiastic gardener. 



Another group of plants in which I am much interested is 

 the alpines. I need not mention in this sketch any of the 

 lovel}' ones brought home from the Austrian Dolomites, the 

 Kngadine, and other such places. British alpines are un- 

 fortunately few in number ; Irish alpines still fewer, but some 

 of the most interesting are quite at home with us. 



The Bearberr}' {Ardostaphylos Uvi-Ursi) from Benletter}-, 

 Ballyvaughan, and Acliill Island is doing well. The Spring 

 Gentian {Gentiana vernd), from Gentian Hill, Galway, pro- 

 duced last year an abundance of flowers, and is now again 

 studded with glorious blue stars. The Mountain Avens {Dryas 

 octopctala) from Clare, has grown freely, and the rare Saxifraga 

 Sternbcrgii from the Aran Islands sows itself, and is now 

 flowering in profusion. 



One or two alpines got among the Knglish lakes are worth 

 mentioning. Draba incana, so rare in that district, has grown 

 splendidly, and sows itself abundantly. Thalichijun alpbmvi, 

 the tiny Alpine Meadow-Rue, is growing well ; it flowered 

 last year, and is now again in blossom. This, I ma}' mention, 

 I was defied to grow by a well-knovrn Knglish botanist, who 

 was somewhat surprised two years later when he found it 

 quite at home here ! 



The Rose-root {Scdmn Rhodiola) and the Yellow Mountain 

 Saxifrage (5. aizoidcs), Alpine I^ady's-mantle {Alchcmilla 



