278 The Irish Naturalist. [Nov., 



I miglit of course begin by an enumeration of the most 

 plentiful species, and from that descend to notice the less 

 numerous and robust inhabitants ; but, for purposes of classifi- 

 cation, if not, indeed, as an aid to memory — writing as I do 

 now, at a distance — it is, I think, well to follow the regular 

 order of arrangement. 



First then, of the Buttercup family there are' to be found in 

 more or less ^'3iW\\\,y Raminculiis bulbosus, R. repens, audi?, acris^ 

 that is the Bulbous, Creeping, and Meadow Buttercups. I 

 have also found R. hirsiitus, but for the past two years it has 

 not flowered, to my knowledge ; though, of course, it may 

 have done so in my absence. The Green Hellebore {H. viridis) 

 and H.fcetidus are to be found there too ; but these I believe 

 to have sprung from seed scattered there by myself. The 

 Winter Aconite {Eranthis hyemalis) I planted ; but after two 

 or three years it was crowded out, as I gave it no assistance. 

 Columbine {Aquilegia znilgaris), of course, grows here and 

 there ; but the garden being near, it may be recruited from 

 that source ; and, indeed, it is, I think, doubtful if this be 

 ever, in truth, a ivild flower. The Common Poppy {Papaver 

 Rhccas), is also to be found there ; and, for a couple of years, 

 the Horned Poppy {Glauciiim flavuvi), seeds of which I 

 brought from Wicklow, maintained a precarious existence, 

 without flowering. The Greater Celandine {Chdidoni^cm majus) 

 too, I introduced from the Zoological Gardens ; but its 

 properties were too soon discovered by my pupils, who 

 managed to get new boys to rub their eyes, after having 

 besmeared their fingers with its juice, and thus brought about 

 its banishment. The Fumitory, with its beautiful flowers, 

 rose-coloured and tipped with purple, occasionally shows its 

 head, especially if there be any waste top-dressing thrown 

 out of the garden. Of Cruciferce it is always hard to say 

 what is stray and what is indigenous ; but there is certainly 

 no room for doubt that Shepherd's Purse {Capsella Bursa- 

 pastoris) is of the latter character ; for it is here, there, and 

 everywhere, encroaching even upon the cricket crease to the 

 despair of those who nurse that spot carefully. The I^adies' 

 Smock or Cuckoo Flower {Cardtwiine prateiisis) is but an 

 occasional visitor in plenty, and yet there have been few years 

 that one flower stalk, at least, is not to be found ; but the 



