1907- Pra.eghr. — Phanerogams, &c., of Lambay. 93 



surround it. Yet it must be noted that, after many years of 

 dereliction, it is being invaded but slowly. The Bracken has 

 crept in from five to fifteen yards in many places, and is 

 steadily advancing. As to the heaths, Purple Heather {Erica 

 cinerea) is forming luxuriant dense patches a yard or more 

 across within the margins of the upland grass. The Ling 

 {Calluna V7ilga?is) appears to be a less successful colonist; its 

 outliers being closely nibbled down by rabbits. 



To the relative abundance of the various species ofGramina 

 in the grass-lands, no special attention was paid. The Bent 

 (Agrostis vulgaris) is everywhere abundant, and often domi- 

 nant. In the upland areas, mosses of a few species are 

 abundant, particularly Hylocomium squarrosum and H. loreum; 

 also the lichen Cladonia gracilis. The Wood Violet ( Viola 

 Rivi?iia7ia) is a remarkably abundant ingredient, and Heath 

 Bedstraw {Galium saxatile) in some parts forms numerous 

 roundish patches six to twelve feet in diameter, which in June 

 are snow-white with blossom. Other abundant ingredients of 

 the upland grass-land are Trifolmm repens, Lotus corniculatus, 

 Potentilla Tormentilla, Senecio Jacobcea, Cnictis atvensis, C. 

 palustris, Veronica Chamcedrys, Teucrium Scorodo?iia. Rum ex 

 Ace to sella. 



The Bracken Association. 



Next to grass-land, the Bracken (Pleris Aauilina) occupies 

 the largest area of any plant or group of plants on the island. 

 The boundary between the grass and the Bracken usually 

 represents the limit of the clearing of the land by the former 

 husbandmen — in other words, the limit of the more level 

 ground, deeper soil, or greater shelter, which made agriculture 

 productive. The Bracken areas present dense and luxuriant 

 beds of this fern. Of subdominant plants, sub-species of 

 Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) are the most important, and occur 

 in great quantity, but limited variety, R. pulcherrimus N eum. , 

 and R. leucostachys Schleich being the prevailing forms. 

 Under the Bracken, shade plants grow in immense profusion, 

 and the sheets of Primroses (Primula vulgaris), Wild Hyacinths 

 (Scilla 7iuta?is), Lesser Celandine (Rammculus Ficaria), and 

 Ground Ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) that deck the Pteris areas in 

 spring, before the fresh crop of fronds arises, form one of the 



