2 THE FLOKA OF StAFFORDSttlRE* 



into the Weaver near Nantwich. These minor streams drain the 

 country around Kidsgrove, Andley, Betley, Winkshill, Madeley, 

 and the northern portion of Whitmore. This district is rich in 

 some of the rarer plants. 



2. The Dove. 



The Dove rises on Axe Edge at an elevation of 1750 ft. above 

 sea, and takes* a course south-west near Longnor (forming the 

 bonndaiy between Derbyshire and Staffordshire almost throughout 

 its whole course). Flowing through a narrow valley of about 

 four miles, it passes Hartington, wlien its course becomes more 

 southerly, through Narrow Glen, Mill Dale, the beautiful Dove 

 Dale, and under Dovebridge ; here it receives the Manyfold. The 

 Manyfold is fed originally by a number of streams that flow from 

 the continuation of the limestone ridge of Axe Edge. These collect 

 to the west of Longnor, close to the course of the Dove, and flow 

 southwards, fed at intervals by other streams from the same source. 

 At Hulme End the limestone hills divert its course south-east by 

 Ecton Hill, through the beautiful Wetton Valley, past Ossoms Hill 

 and Thor's Cave to Beeston Tor, where its bed unites with that of 

 the Hamps. The Hamps rises near the Manyfold, and has a 

 southward course of five miles, through Mixou to Onecote, and 

 then south-east to Wiukshill, and east to AVaterhouses ; here the 

 ridge of limestone diverts its course north and north-west to 

 Bee-ton Tor, and the united streams have a sinuous course south- 

 ward through Ham Park, and enter the Dove near Thorpe. The 

 Dove now turns southwards, and continues a winding course 

 through a widening Vcilley, past Mayfield and Rocester, where it 

 receives the Churnet. Tne Churnet is originally fed by waters 

 from the millstone grit which forms the western portion of the hills 

 near the source of the Manyfold, but it receives numerous contri- 

 butions from a number of small streams taking the drainage of a 

 semicircle around Leek. These collect at Cheddleton. Here the 

 Churnet enters a beautiful valley, and flows south-east for about 

 twelve miles. As it advances, the hills become more rocky, and 

 the stream flows at the foot of the beautiful grounds of Alton 

 Towers, past Denton and Rocester, to its confluence with the Dove. 

 Continuing to receive feeders from the west, the Dove flows north- 

 ward to Uttoxeter, being increased by two streams, both coming 

 from the west — Tean Brook and Stoneyford Brook. The Tean has 

 a long course of twelve miles, parallel to the Churnet ; the Stoney- 

 ford has a shorter one. The Dove now flows south and south-east, 

 past Murchington, Draycote, Scropton, and Tutbury, and enters 

 the Trent near Newton Solney. The total length of the Dove is 

 forty-five miles, and it has a fall of 1550 ft. from its source to its 

 confluence with the Trent. 



3. Trent. 

 The Trent rises in the north-west of the county, between 

 Biddulph and Mow Cop, at about 700 ft. above sea, and, passing 

 through Knypersley Pools, flows southwards through Norton and 



