2 THE EXISTING FLOWERING PLANTS OF EPPING FOREST. 



accessible, towards the Lea and the Roding, especially towards the 

 latter river, which runs so near to the Forest in more than one place. 

 I was confirmed in thus extending the area by the opinion of Mr. W. 

 Cole, honorary secretary of the Essex Field Club, who, when con- 

 sulted on this point, suggested that the boundaries laid down on a 

 map published by the Forest Commissioners should be adopted 

 This map (see plate I.) represents the perambulation made in 

 lyth year of Charles I., when the area of the Forest was 60,000 

 acres. As there delineated its boundaries are : — On the west, the 

 River Lea from Bow Bridge to Roydon on the Stort ; on the south, 

 the Romford Road ; on the east, the Roding from Ilford to Abridge ; 

 thence the north-east boundary takes a somewhat irregular course to 

 beyond Epping, including the portion known as the Lower Forest ; 

 thence by Epping Green past Nazeing (including the common and 

 village) on to Roydon. Of the northern part of this extended area I 

 know but little.^ 



[The reader is referred to an article in the present number on 

 the ancient boundaries of the Forest, and their retention for faunistic 

 purposes; also to the map of Epping Forest as defined by the peram- 

 bulation of Charles L (plate L).] 



The Forest generally strikes a botanist accustomed to districts 

 less frequented by the holiday-maker as being rather bare of flowering 

 plants. Everything sho\vy is, of course, carried off by the multitude 

 of visitors. The Primrose and Foxglove, once common, are now 

 seldom seen in bloom, and will soon, it is to be feared, become things 

 of the past. The less conspicuous Phanerogams are, however, still 

 numerous both in species and individuals. - 



Notwithstanding the extent to which it is stripped of its floral 

 treasures by the thoughtless excursionists, there are times of the year 

 when, in certain parts, the Forest is gay with flowers. In spring the 

 Wood Anemone and Blue Bell are still tolerably abundant. In some 

 of the ponds the AVater ^'iolet (ffof/o/tur palustris) makes a con- 

 siderable show, and, being for the most part out of reach, is 

 increasing. In some years the Hawthorn and Crab blossom furnish 

 a lovely sight, and the Gorse and Broom add a lavish tinge of gold. 



1 It is ill the northern and north-western parts ot" the district that additions to the list of 

 Epping Forest plants are most likely to be made. The Chalky Boulder Clay is a congenial soil 

 for many chalk-loving plants, which are, of course, very rare or absent on the gravels and clay of 

 the southern district. A good deal of useful work might be done on the slopes of the valleys of 

 the Lea and the Stort north-west of Epping. — W. Cole. 



2 I am glad to say that the Primrose is again asserting itself in the quieter parts of the Forest, 

 probably owing to the operations of the beneficent rule of the Conservators forbidding the rooting 

 up of the plants. There can be little doubt but that the rarity of the Primrose in the neighbour- 

 hood of London is mainly the work of the "plant grubbers-up. " gathering roots for sale. - 

 W. CoLii. 



