90 The Irish Naturalist. February, 



PHANEROGAMS AND VASCULAR CRYPTOGAMS. 



BY R. LLOYD PRAEGER. 



The plants of Lambay (Phanerogams and Higher Crypto- 

 gams) were thoroughly investigated, from the floristic 

 standpoint, by H. C. Hart in 1881-2, and the results of his 

 researches published in full by the Royal Irish Academy in 

 1883.' The completeness of his survey leaves little to be 

 added to the list of Lambay plants ; but notes on a few addi- 

 tional species found, as well as on the rarer species which 

 occur, appear later on in the present section (p. 97). The 

 remarks which follow will deal with the flora mainly from an 

 ecological standpoint. 



The chief conditions affecting the vegetation as a whole are 

 exposure to sea winds from all sides, a shallow soil (save at 

 the western end), with the rock frequently breaking through, 

 and a climate which, tjnough rendered moist by the influence 

 of the sea, is nevertheless a dry one for Ireland, L,ambay lying 

 on the edge of the area of least rainfall in the country. 

 Cultivation, formerly practised to a considerable extent, has 

 for many years been confined to an acre or two of garden. 

 Cattle, and a constantly increasing herd of Fallow Deer, 

 which now number about 75, as well as swarms of Rabbits, 

 have exercised an important controlling influence on the 

 vegetation. 



Save for the clump of introduced trees which surrounds the 

 castle, arboreal vegetation is almost absent, and the only 

 species rising more than a yard or two in height is the Elder, 

 which forms clumps of greenery in many sheltered hollows on 

 the island. 



The character of the prevailing rocks of Lambay is not 

 such as greatly to influence vegetation. The shallow soil Jis 

 loamy or peaty, and usually non-calcareous. The only lime- 

 stone on the island (near Kiln Point) exercises no influence on 

 the vegetation ; but the travelled lime in the Boulder-clay 

 makes itself felt, as will be referred to later on. 



1 Proc. K.I. A. (2), vol. iii. (Science), pp. 670-693. 





