1896.] Gibson. — Botany of a School Playg7'0U7id in Diiblvi, 283 



counted natives than the small Bugloss {Lycopsis arvensis), 

 which sprung up on a heap of waste earth and died off in a 

 year or so. A plant of the Common Bittersweet {Solanum 

 Dulca7na7'a) has found a home against one of the walls ; and, 

 for several years back, in one corner, the Black Nightshade 

 {S. 7iigru77i) has grown up, seeded, and died. Henbane 

 {Hyoscya77ius 7iige7-) I tried to introduce, but it never survived 

 the winter, though why I know not, as I have found it 

 growing in an old stable-yard near Kilkenny. 



The Ivy-leaved Toad- flax {Liyiaria CytTibalaria) grows on 

 every wall, and the Knotted Figwort {Scrophtdaria 7iodosa) 

 perfumes every corner ; but Yellow- rattle {Rhi7ia7ithis Crista- 

 gain), P^ye-bright {Euphrasia officinalis), and Bartsia OdoTitites 

 barely survive, though long ago naturalized. The little 

 Wall Speedwell ( Vero7iica arve7isis) and the Germander Speed- 

 well {V. Cha77tcedrys) are, however, plentiful, as is also the 

 Great Mullein ( Verbascu77i Thapst(s), which springs up every- 

 where, though seldom allowed to flower, as boys love the 

 flannel-like feel of the leaves. The Hemp Nettle {Galeopsis 

 Tet7'ahit) and Self-Heal {Pru7iella vulgaris^d^r^ scattered all over 

 the place, and Ground Ivy {Glecho77ia hederaced) grows in one 

 corner. I brought a plant of Vervain ( Verbe7ia offici7ialis) from 

 Bective Abbey some years ago ; but it has never flowered and 

 is growing smaller every day, though, as it grows plentifully 

 at Old Connaught cross-roads, I don't see why it fails to grow. 

 The Primrose {Pri77iula vulgaris) is an introduction, but the 

 tiny Scarlet Pimpernel {A7iagallis arve7isis) seems to flourish in 

 being trampled on, for its petals expand, every fine day, along 

 the very paths and walls. Of Plantains we have the Greater 

 and Ribwort species (Pla7itago 77tajor and P. la7iceolata), and 

 each too abundantly ; for, always and ever, they come up before 

 the grass, after our winter games, and spoil the appearance of 

 the cricket creases. The Goose-foot {Che7iopoditi77i albu7?t) 

 and the A triplex (Orache) have found a footing in the un- 

 trodden corners, while Docks, and Sorrel {Ru77iex Acetosa) and 

 Knot-Grass {Polygo7i2i7n avictdare) abound, as well as the 

 Spotted Persicaria {P. Persicaria), and P. Co7ivolvohis is only 

 too plentiful. Of the genus Etcpho7^bia, the Caper Spurge {E. 

 Lathyris), having been sown in the garden, has spread to the 



