iqS some minor problems concerned in the local 



they really done so ? Judging from the records in an old book, I 

 believe that in the earlier years of this century the (keater and 

 Less Spearwort {Ranunculus lingua and R. Flaminuld) were much 

 more common in Essex than at present. The first is now extinct 

 in my nieghbourhood, and the second is confined to two or three 

 small ponds about two or three miles distant from each other ; 

 and from the situation of these ponds it can only be regarded as 

 a lingering form. 



But the common Buttercups which now adorn the meadows show 

 a disposition to vary in numbers, which may be placed upon record, 

 but cannot be accounted for. As showing a tendency to weakness 

 or diminution, I should adduce among these familiar forms that of 

 R. acris. It has to give place to R. bulbosus and to R. repens. 

 Whether this be due to inherent weakness or to unsuitability of soil, 

 I do not -know. The plant has a variable habit which may only be 

 another expression for a frequent want of robustness. Anyway, in 

 the struggle for life, it is ousted by the two forms mentioned ; and, 

 besides this, it seems to be under difficulties in regard to its seeding. 

 It now occurs most abundantly and attains its greatest vigour in 

 alluvial meadows. A field was here laid down for grass some four- 

 teen years ago, and the first two or three years neilher buttercup nor 

 daisy appeared. Then R. bulbosus appeared in solitary patches, 

 which gradually spread, and now the meadow compares well with an 

 old one in regard to its buttercups and daisies ; but among these 

 R. acris is as yet rare, although it is well represented in the adjoining 

 meadows, and apparently had an equal chance of establishing itself 

 It is quite in accordance with what we know of forms living under 

 unsuitable conditions that the reproductive organs should early be 

 affected ; but, in this case, we are uncertain whether the conditions 

 are unsuitable. 



Ranunculus repens, the Creeping Crowfoot, on the other hand, 

 must be regarded as an aggressive species. Always holding its own, 

 and continually invading a neighbour's territory, it would, were it not 

 for artificial checks, soon overrun a district and reach its culminating 

 point. 



We will now take a less known family, that of the Orchids. Their 

 distribution will be a standing problem for a long time, and its 

 solution has been complicated by recent researches on the fertilization 

 of the plants. We have about eleven species of Orchids at Felstead. 

 Of these, some four or five may be regarded as common or frequent, 



