THE FLORA OP STAFFOEDSHIRE. 3 



Milton, below which it receives a tributary stream, the Fowlea. 

 This stream rises near the source of the Trent, and drains a large 

 area about Tunstall and Burslem. The united streams flow through 

 Hanford and Stoke, receiving on the right bank the Lyme and 

 other streams from the west. Flowing through the large lake in 

 Trentham Park, it continues its south-east course, through Stone, 

 Sandon, Weston-on-Trent, Ingestre, to Great Heywood, where it 

 receives its important tributary, the Sowe. The Sowe rises on the 

 west border of the county, and flows through the lake-like pool 

 Copmere by Eccleshall, and below Chebsey is joined by the Meese, 

 rising on Whitmore Moss ; and near here Clanford Brook, which 

 comes in from the west by Kanton Abbey, and flowing past Stafford, 

 is joined by the Penk, which comes from the south above Wolver- 

 hampton and brings waters from various streams — Eaton and 

 Whiston brooks from the west of the county, and Sherbrook from 

 Cannock Chase. 



The Trent is now a fine river, and, flowing past Shugborough 

 and Wolseley Parks, its course is eastward past Rugeley, Armitage, 

 and the Ridwares to Kings Bromsley, where it receives the river 

 Blithe. This is a small river rising north-west of Chartley Park, 

 and flowing through Gratwick, Blithbridge, Blithfield Park, Blith- 

 ford, and Blithbury, and drains a large extent of country about 

 Cnartley, Kingston, and Abbotts Bromley. The Trenc now takes 

 a sinuous coarse by Wichnor and Alrewas to its confluence with 

 the Tame near Croxall. Tne Tame rises south of Cannock Chase, 

 and collects tributary waters from the country east of Wolver- 

 hampton and Dudley. It flows through Hamstead and Perry, and 

 near VVitton enters Warwickshire. After a few miles' sinuous course 

 north-east near Drayton Basset, it has a northern flow, forming 

 the county boundary for a few miles; then it turns west past 

 Tamworth and re-enters Staflbrdshire. After passing Tamworth it 

 recovers its northern course, flowing by Hopwas and Elford to its 

 confluence with the Trent near Croxall. The Trent now takes the 

 bed of the Tame and turns north-east, flowing by Walton, Drakelow, 

 Stappenhall, and Burton-on-Trent. Here it leaves the county, and 

 after a few miles receives the Dove. Its total length from its 

 source to its confluence with the Dove is about fifty-six miles, and 

 its fall is from 700 ft. at its source, to 180 ft. at its confluence with 

 the Dove. 



4. The Severn. 



The Severn drains a large extent of west and south-west 

 Stafl"ordbhu-e by smail streams tributary to the Tern, Meese, Worf, 

 and Stour, all affluents of the Severn. The river Tern is a brook- 

 like stream forming the county boundary from above Wiiloughby 

 Wells to a point south-east of Market Drayton, and is fed by streams 

 draining Maer, Maer Heath, and west of Fair Oak. The Meese, a 

 tributary to the Tern, receives Largo Brook, draining Offley Marsh, 

 High Offley, and surrounding country, and has feeders from Nor- 

 bury and Oulton ; and Dawford Brook, draining Weston-under- 

 Lizard and part of Blymhill ; and both Largo and Dawford Brooks 

 flow through Aqualate Mere, and near For ton enter the Meese. 



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